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NEW TESTAMENT 



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THE 



APOCRYPHAL 

NEW TESTAMENT, 

BEING ALL THE 

GOSPELS, EPISTLES, AND OTHER PIECES 

NOW EXTANT 

ATTRIBUTED, IN THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES, TO 

JESUS CHRIST, 

HIS APOSTLES, AND THEIR COMPANIONS, 

AND 

NOT INCLUDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 
BY' ITS COMPILERS. 

TRANSLATED, AND NOW FIRST COLLECTED INTO ONE VOLUME, 

WITH PREFACES AND TABLES, AND VARIOUS NOTES AND 
REFERENCES. 



jffom tfje last Siotitroit SStrftfon. 



BOSTON: 
N. H. WHITAKER 



Stereotyped at the Boston Type and Stereotype Foundry. 

1832. 



f*k 



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& 









PREFACE 



TO 



THE FIRST EDITION. 



AFTER the writings contained in the JYew Testament were 
sel-ected from the numerous Gospels and Epistles then in ex- 
istence, what became of the books that were rejected by the com- 
pilers ? 

This question naturally occurs on every investigation as to 
the period when, and the persons by whom, the New Testament 
was formed. It has been supposed by many, that the volume 
was compiled by the first Council of Nice, which was held early 
in the fourth century, and, according to Jortin,* originated 
thus : — 

Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, and Arius, who was a 
presbyter in his diocese, disputed together about the nature of 
Christ ; and the bishop, being displeased at the notions of Arius, 
and finding that they were adopted by other persons, * was 
very angry.' He commanded Arius to come over to his sen- 
timents, and to quit his own ; as if a man could change his 
opinions as easily as he can change his coat ! He then called 
a council of war, consisting of near a hundred bishops, and de- 
posed, excommunicated, and anathematized Arius, and with 
him several ecclesiastics, two of whom were bishops. Alex- 
ander then wrote a circular letter to all bishops, in which he 
represents Arius and his partisans as heretics, apostates, blas- 
phemous enemies of God, full of impudence and impiety, fore- 

* Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177. 
A 2 



vi PREFACE. 

runners of Antichrist, imitators of Judas, and men whom it was 
not lawful to salute, or to bid God speed. There is no reason 
to doubt of the probity and sincerity of those who opposed 
Alexander and the Nicene Fathers ; for what did they get by 
it besides obloquy and banishment ? Many good men were en- 
gaged on both sides of the controversy. , So it was in the 
fourth century, and so it hath been ever since. Eusebius of 
Nicomedia, and Eusebius the historian, endeavored to pacify 
Alexander, and to persuade him to make up the quarrel ; and 
Constantine sent a letter by the illustrious Hosius of Corduba 
to Alexander and Arius, in which he reprimanded them both 
for disturbing the church with their insignificant disputes. But 
the affair was gone too far to be thus composed, and Socrates 
represents both sides as equally contentious and refractory. 
To settle this and other points, the Nicene Council was sum- 
moned, consisting of about three hundred and eighteen bish- 
ops, — a mystical number, on which many profound remarks 
have been made.* The first thing that they did was to quar- 

* " For the Scripture says, that Abraham circumcised three hundred 
and eighteen men of his house. But what, therefore, was the mystery 
that was made known unto him ? — mark first the eighteen, and next 
the three hundred. For the numeral letters of ten and eight are I II ; 
and these denote Jesus. — And because the Cross was that by which 
we were to find grace, therefore he adds three hundred ; the note of 
which is T (the figure of his cross). Wherefore by two letters, he 
signified Jesus, and by the third his cross." — Barnabas, viii. 11, 12, 13. 

The Jews had a piece of cabalism, or allegory, upon the number 
of Abraham's servants (Genesis, xiv. 14.), viz. three hundred and 
eighteen ; not much unlike that of Barnabas. The name of Eliezer, 
Abraham's steward, according to the value of the Hebrew letters which 
compose it, makes three hundred and eighteen, as follows : 

thus : 





N 


1 




s 


30 


W?N 


1 


10 


Eliezer. 


V 


70 




] 


7 




1 


200 



318 



PREFACE. vli 

rel, and to express their resentments, and to present accusa- 
tions to the emperor against one another. So say Socrates, 
Sozomen, and Rufinus. Theodoret favours his brethren in 
this affair, and seems to throw the fault upon the laity. But 
the whole story, as it is related by them all, and even by Theo- 
doret, shows that the bishops accused one another. The em- 
peror burnt all their libels, and exhorted them to peace and 
unity; so that if they had not been restrained by his authority, 
and by fear and respect, they would probably have spent their 
time in altercations. 

This Council of Nice is one of the most famous and interest- 
ing events presented to us in ecclesiastical history ; and yet, 
what is most surprising, scarcely any part of the History of the 
Church has been unfolded with such negligence, or rather 
passed over with such rapidity. The ancient writers are 
neither agreed with respect to the time or place in which it 
was assembled, the number of those who sat in council, nor 
the bishop who presided in it. No authentic acts of its famous 
sentence have been committed to writing ; or at least none have 
been transmitted to our time.* 

Although it is uncertain whether the books of the New 
Testament were declared canonical by the Nicene Council, or 
by some other, or when or by whom they were collected into 
a volume, it is certainf that they were considered genuine and 
authentic (with a few variations of opinion as to some of them) 
by the most early Christian writers; and that they were se- 
lected from various other Gospels and Epistles, the titles of 

Now, say the Jews, the numeral letters of ijjj^x, Eliezer, making 
just 318, the number of servants which Abraham armed, we learn 
hence that Abraham did the business, and got the victory with Eliezer 
alone, who was equal to all of them, and that he left the rest at home, 
because either their sins or fears made them unfit to go. — Rivet, on 
Clem. Alex. Exercit. lxxv., in Gen. xiv. 

* Mosheim, Eccl. Hist. c. v. § 12. 

| See Table II. at the end of this work. 



viii PREFACE. 

which are mentioned m the works of the Fathers and the early- 
historians of the Church.* The books that exist, of those not 
included in the canon, are carefully brought together into the 
present volume. They naturally assume the title of the Apoc- 
ryphal New Testament ; and he who possesses this and the 
New Testament, has, in the two volumes, a collection of all 
the historical records relative to Christ and his Apostles, now 
in existence, and considered sacred by Christiansf during the 
first four centuries after his birth. 

In a Complete^ collection of the Apocryphal writings, the 
Apostles' Creed is necessarily included ; and as necessarily 
given, as it stood in the fourth and until after the sixth century 
(from Mr. Justice Bailey's edition of the Common Prayer 
Book), without the article of Christ's Descent into Hell; — an 
interpolation concerning which the author of the Preface to the 
Catalogue of the MSS. of the King's Library thus expresses 
himself: ". I wish that the insertion of the article of Christ's 
Descent into Hell into the Apostles' Creed could be as well ac- 
counted for as the insertion, of the said verse (1 John, v. 7.)§ 

* See Table I. at end. 

f Of course the Ebionites, and various other sects, denominated 
heretics by the Fathers and Councils, are included in the denomination 
of Christians. 

t As the title expresses, every Apocryphal Writing, attributed during 
the first four centuries to Jesus Christ and his Apostles, and their Com- 
panions, is given in this volume. There were many Gospels and 
Epistles fabricated in the latter ages ; the notoriety of the forgery has 
of course excluded them. 

§ Catalogue of MSS. of the King's Library, by David Casley, 4to. in 
Pref. p. xxiv. For large particulars of CJuistfs Descent into Hell, see 
the Gospel of Nicodemus, chap. xiii. to xx. 

The verse above alluded to by Mr. Casley is 1 John, v. 7. This 
spurious passage, in the authorized version of the New Testament, 
printed by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the king's 
printers, and appointed to be read in churches, stands thus : " For there 
are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy 



PREFACE. ix 

The best that can be said for it is, that it might possibly have 
come in, in like maimer, not long before, from a gloss or para- 
phrase, that was at first put in the margin or between the 
lines." 



Ghost ; and these three are one" This verse, Mr. Casley says, is now 
generally given up ; being in no Greek MS. save one at Berlin, which 
is discovered to have been transcribed from the printed Biblia Com- 
plutensia ; and another modern one at Dublin, probably translated or 
corrected from the Latin Vulgate. It is conjectured that it may have 
been inserted by the mistake of a Latin copyist ; for the owners of 
MSS. often wrote glosses or paraphrases of particular passages be- 
tween the lines, and ignorant transcribers sometimes mistook these 
notes for interlined omissions by the original scribes, and, accordingly 
in re-copying the MSS., incorporated these glosses or paraphrases into 
the body of the text. For instance, Jerome, in one of his letters, says 
that an explanatory note which he himself had made in the margin of 
his Psalter had been incorporated by some transcriber into the text ; 
and Dr. Bentley, in the 96th page of his Epistle, annexed to Malala's 
Chronicle, has proved 2iva oqog loxlv lv ry Aqvpia, in Galatians, iv. 25. 
to be of the same stamp.* 

It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader, that, in 1516 and 1519, 
Erasmus published his first and second editions of the Greek Testa- 
ment, both which omitted the three heavenly witnesses. That having 
promised to insert them in his text, if they were found in a sin- 
gle Greek MS., he was soon informed of the existence of such a 
MS. in England, and consequently inserted 1 John, v. 7, hi his third 
edition, 1522. That this MS., after a profound sleep of two cen- 
turies, has'at last been found in the library of Trinity College, Dub- 
lin. That the Complutensian edition, which was not published till 
1522, though it professes to be printed in 1514, has the seventh and 
eighth verses patched up from the modern Latin MS., and the final 
clause of the eighth verse, which is omitted in its proper place, trans- 
ferred to the end of the seventh. That Colinseus, in 1534, omitted the 
verse on the faith of MSS. That R. Stephens, in his famous edition 
of 1550, inserted the verse, and marked the words lv r65i ovQavtit as 
wanting in seven MSS. That Beza, suspecting no mistake, concluded 
that these seven MSS. contained the rest of the seventh verse, and the 
eighth with the words h rrji yij*.+ 



* Cat. King's Libr. Pref. p. xxi. f Porson's Letters to Travis. — Preface, 



x PREFACE. 

By the publication of the Apocrypha to the New Testa- 
ment, the Editor conceives he has rendered an acceptable ser- 
vice to the Theological Student, and the Ecclesiastical Anti- 
quary : — he has endeavoured to render it more gratifying to 

Sir Isaac Newton wrote a Dissertation upon this passage, wherein 
he gave a clear, exact, and comprehensive view of the whole question, 
and wherein he says, that when the adversaries of Erasmus had got 
the Trinity into his edition, they threw by their MS. as an almanac 
out of date.* 

The text is not contained in any Greek manuscript which was writ- 
ten earlier than the fifteenth century. 2. Nor in any Latin manu- 
script earlier than the ninth century. 3. It is not found in any of the 
ancient versions. 4. It is not cited by any of the Greek ecclesiastical 
writers, though to prove the doctrine of the Trinity, they have cited 
the words both before and after this. 5. It is not cited by any of the 
early Latin Fathers, even when the subjects upon which they treat 
would naturally have led them to appeal to its authority. 6. It is first 
cited by Vigilius Tapsensis, a Latin writer of no credit, in the latter 
end of the fifth century, and by him it is suspected to have been 
forged. 7. It has been omitted as spurious in many editions of the 
New Testament since the reformation : — in the two first of Erasmus, 
in those of Aldus, Colineeus, Zwinglius, and lately of Griesbach. 8. 
It was admitted by Luther in his German Version. In the old Eng- 
lish Bibles of Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Elizabeth, it was printed 
in small types, or included in brackets : but between the years 1566 
and 1580, it began to be printed as it now stands ; by whose authority 
is not known. — See Travis's Letters to Gibbon, and Porson's to Tra- 
vis. Also Griesbach's excellent Dissertation on the Text at the end of 
his second volume. Archbishop Newcome omits the text, and the 



* Sir I. Newtoni Opera a Horsley, 4to. 1785, vol. v. p. 549.— Bishop Horsley, in 
his edition of Sir Isaac Newton's works, has not included several MSS. on theologi- 
cal subjects, for the reasons which perhaps induced the nobleman in whose posses- 
sion they remain, to withhold them still from publication. His lordship's judgment 
in this respect is said to be influenced by a prelate whose notions do not accord either 
with the philosopher's opinions or criticisms. They are fairly transcribed, in Sir 
Isaac's own hand-writing, ready for the press. It is to be regretted that the produc- 
tion of his luminous mind should be suppressed by a censorship, however respect- 
able. 



PREFACE. xi 

the reader, and more convenient for reference, by arranging 
the books into chapters, and dividing the chapters into verses, 
after the manner of the Apocrypha to the Old Testament. 
He has only to add, that the lover of old literature will here 
find the obscure but unquestionable origin of several remark- 
bishop of Lincoln expresses his conviction that it is spurious. (Elem. 
of Theol. vol. ii. p. 90, note.)* 

In a sumptuous Latin MS. of the Bible, written so late as in the 
thirteenth century, formerly belonging to the Capuchin Convent at 
Montpelier, afterwards in the possession of Harley, Earl of Oxford, and 
now deposited in the British Museum, the verse of the three heavenly 
witnesses is wanting, as appears by the following literal extract from it. 

tyit est qui uenit ntK aquam $ sanguinem* uje ;tue* Bon in aq solum 
sen .in aqua $ sanguinem $ spu* sue est qui testificator* quoniam jcpe est 
uerttas* flkuoniam tees sunt* qui testimonium Bant in tra, ®pe» aqua, $ 
sanguis* <Zft txz& unum Sunkf 

The following Greek and Latin authors have not quoted the 
text :\ 

Greek authors : — Irenasus — Clemens Aiexandrinus — Dionysius Alex- 
andrinus (or the writer against Paul of Samosata under his name) — 
Athanasius — The Synopsis of Scripture — The Synod of Sardica — 
Epiphanius — Basil — Alexander of Alexandria — Gregory Nyssen — 
Gregory Nazianzen, with his two commentators, Elias Cretensis and 
Nicetas — Didymus de Spiritu Sancto — Chrysostome — An author under 
his name de sancta et consubstantiali Trinitate — Csesarius — Proclus — 
The Council of Nice, as it is represented by Gelasius Cyzicenus — Hyp- 
polytus — Andrias — Six catenas quoted by Simon — The marginal scholia 
of three MSS. — Hesychius — John Damascenus — Oecumenius — Eu- 
thymius Zigabenus. 

Lathi authors : — The author de Baptismo Hsereticorum, among 
Cyprian's works — Novatian — Hilary — Lucifer Calazitanus — Jerome — 
Augustine — Ambrose — Faustinus — Leo Magnus — The author de Pro- 
missis — Eucherius — Facundus — Cerealis — Rusticus — Bede — Gregory 
Philastrius — Paschasius — Arnobius, junior — Pope Eusebius. 



* Improved version of the New Testament, 1808. 
t Harl. Coll. MSS. Cod. 4773. 
X Porson's Letters to Travis, p. 363 



xii PREFACE. 

able relations m the Golden Legend, the Lives of the Saints, 
and similar productions, concerning the Birth of the Virgin, 
her marriage with Joseph on the budding of his rod, the nativity 
of Jesus, the miracles of his Infancy, his labouring with Joseph 
at the carpentry trade, the actions of his followers, and his 

It is evident that if the text of the heavenly witnesses had been known 
from the beginning of Christianity, the ancients would have eagerly- 
seized it, inserted it in their creeds, quoted it repeatedly against the 
heretics, and selected it for the brightest ornament of every book that 
they wrote upon the subject of the Trinity. In short, if this verse be 
really genuine, notwithstanding its absence from all the visible Greek 
MSS. except two ; one of which awkwardly translates the verse from 
the Latin, and the other transcribes it from a printed book ; notwithstand- 
ing its absence from all the versions except the Vulgate : and even from 
many of the best and oldest MSS. of the Vulgate ; notwithstanding the 
deep and dead silence of all the Greek writers down to the thirteenth, 
and most of the Latins down to the middle of the eighth, century; if, in 
spite of all these objections, it be still genuine, no part of Scripture 
whatsoever can be proved either spurious or genuine ; and Satan has 
been permitted, for many centuries, miraculously to banish the finest 
passage in the N. T. from the eyes and memories of almost all the 
Clnistian authors, translators, and transcribers.* 

Sir Isaac Newton observes, that " what the Latins have done to this 
text (1 John, v. 7.), the Greeks have done to that of St. Paul (Timo- 
thy, iii. 16.). For by changing o into ©, the abbreviation of ©so?, they 
now read, Great is the mystery of godliness : God manifested in the flesh : 
whereas all the churches for the first four or five hundred years, and 
the authors of all the ancient versions, Jerome as well as the rest, read, 
Great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh ." 
Sir Isaac gives a list of authors, who, he says, " wrote, all of them, in 
the fourth and fifth centuries, for the Deity of the Son, and incarnation 
of God ; and some of them largely, and in several tracts ; and yet," he 
says, "I cannot find that they ever allege this text to prove it, except- 
ing that Gregory Nyssenf once urges it (if the passage crept not into 
him out of some marginal annotation). In all the times of the hot and 
lasting Arian controversy, it never came into play ; though, now those 
disputes are over, they that read God made manifest in the flesh, think 



* Porson's Letters to Travis, p. 402. 
Orat. xi. contra Eunom 



PREFACE. xiii 

Descent into Hell. Several of the Papal Pageants for the 
populace, and the Monkish Mysteries performed as Dramas at 
Chester, Coventry, Newcastle, and in other parts of England, 
are almost, verbatim representations of the stories. These 
stories were also introduced into the Grand Mystery of the 
8ctea 5e0 gpostrttf, which, by order of Francis I. in 1541, 
was represented at Paris, and occupied, with a Dramatis Per- 
sonam of 485 Characters, several days in the performance. 

Many valuable Pictures by the best masters — Prints by the 
early engravers, particularly of the Italian and German schools 
— Wood-cuts in early fofocft letter, and Block books — and Il- 
luminations of missals and monastic MSS. — receive imme- 
diate elucidation on referring to the APOCRYPHAL NEW 
TESTAMENT, and are without explanation from any other 
source. 

August 1st, 1820. 

it," Sir Isaac says, " one of the most obvious and pertinent texts for 
the business." 

Sir Isaac Newton wrote the ' Dissertation' wherein these remarks 
occur between the years 1690 and 1700, in the form of a letter to a 
friend. It was imperfectly published in 1754 ; but Bishop Horsley 
printed the whole from an original MS. ; and in the Bishop's edition Sir 
Isaac says, " If the Ancient Churches, in debating and deciding the 
greatest mysteries of religion, knew nothing of these two texts, I under- 
stand not why we should be so fond of them now the debates are over. 
And while it is the character of an honest man to be pleased, and of a 
man of interest to be troubled at the detection of frauds, and of both 
to run most into those passions when the detection is made plainest ; I 
hope," continues Sir Isaac, " this letter will, to one of your integrity, 
prove so much the more acceptable, as it makes a further discovery 
than you have hitherto met with hi commentators." 

There are other interpolations and corruptions of passages in the 
New Testament, but the editor perceives that the few observations he 
has hastily collected and thrown together in this note, have already 
extended it to undue length, and it must here close. 
B 



PREFACE 



THE SECOND EDITION. 



Although the Apocryphal New Testament was put 
forth without pretension, or ostentatious announcement, or even 
ordinary solicitude for its fate, yet a large Edition has been' 
sold in a few months. The Public demanding another, to this 
second Edition a small fragment of the second Epistle of Clem- 
ent to the Corinthians, accidentally omitted, has been added : 
it forms the -fifth Chapter of that Epistle. There is likewise 
annexed, a Table* of the years wherein all the books of the 
New Testament are stated to have been written ; to the 
' Order of the Books of the Apocryphal New Testament,' 
the authorities from whence they have been taken are affixed ; 
and, finally, many errors in the numerous scriptural references 
subjoined as notes to the epistles, have been corrected. These 
are the only material variations from the first Edition. 

It escaped the Editor to notice that the legends of the 
Koran and the Hindoo Mythology are considerably connected 
with this volume. Many of the acts and miracles ascribed to 
the Indian God Creeshna, during his incarnation, are precisely 
the same with those attributed to Christ in his Infancy, by the 
Apocryphal Gospels, and are largely particularized by the Rev. 
Thomas Maurice in his learned History of Hindostan.f 

Reference to the preceding Preface will leave little doubt 
that the Apocryphal writings formed an interesting portion of 

* Table III. f B. iv. c. 3. and 4. 



PREFACE. - xv 

the lay, as well as the monkish literature of our forefathers. 
There is a translation of the Gospel of Nicoderaus almost co- 
eval with the origin of printing in England ;* and ancient MSS. 
of the Gospel of the Infancy are still extant in the Welsh lan- 
guage under the title of Mabinogi Jesu Grist. 

Concerning the genuineness of any portion of the work, the 
Editor has not offered an opinion, nor is it necessary that he 
should. The brief notice at the head of each Gospel directs 
the reader to its source, and will assist him to inquire further, 
and form an opinion for himself. Yet, respecting the Epistles, 
which commence at " The First Epistle of Clement to the 
Corinthians" and occupy the remaining two-thirds of the 
volume, the Editor would call attention to Archbishop Wake's 
testimony. The pious and learned Prelate says, that these Epis- 
tlesf are a full and perfect collection of " all the genuine writ- 
ings that remain to us of the Apostolical Fathers, and carry on 
the antiquity of the Church from the time of the Holy Scrip- 
tures of the New Testament to about a hundred and fifty years 
after Christ ; that except the Holy Scriptures, there is nothing 
remaining of the truly genuine Christian antiquity more early ; J 
that they contain all that can with any certainty be depended 
upon of the most Primitive Fathers,^ who had not only the ad- 
vantage of living in the apostolical times, of hearing the holy 
Apostles, and conversing with them, but were most of them 
persons of a very eminent character in the church too ;|| that 
we cannot, with any reason, doubt of what they deliver to us 
as the Gospel of Christ, but ought to receive it, if not with 



.* It was printed in quarto, first by OTjmfegtt DeOTorBe in 1509, next 
by 3loI)tt '©kot in 1525, by the same printer subsequently, and several 
times afterwards. 

f Abp. Wake's Apostolical Fathers, Bagster's Edition, 8vo., 1817, 
Prelim. Disc. p. 106. | Ibid. p. 120. § Ibid. p. 126. 

|| Ibid. p. 128. 



xvi PREFACE. 

equal veneration, yet but with a little less respect than we do 
the Sacred Writings of those who were their masters and in- 
structers;" and "if," says the Archbishop (who translated 
these Epistles,*) "it shall be asked how I came to choose the 
drudgery of a translator, rather than the more ingenious part of 
publishing somewhat of my own composing ? It was, in short, 
this ; because I hoped that such writings as these would find a 
more general and unprejudiced acceptance with all sorts of 
men, than any thing that could be written by any one now 
living." 

As a Literary Curiosity, the work has attracted much no- 
tice ; as throwing a light upon the Arts of Design and Engrav- 
ing, it has already been useful to the Painter, and the Collec- 
tor of Pictures and Prints ; and, as relating to Theology, it has 
induced various speculation and inquiry. 

But the Editor has been charged with expressing too little 
veneration for the Councils of the Church. He feels none. 
It is true that respecting the three hundred Bishops assembled 
at the Council of Nice, the Emperor Constantinef says, that 
what was approved by these Bishops could be nothing less 
than the determination of God himself; since the Holy Spirit, 
residing in such great and worthy souls, unfolded to them the 
divine will.J Yet Sabinus, the Bishop of Heraclea, affirms, 
that " excepting Constantine himself, and Eusebius Pamphilus, 
they were a set of illiterate, simple creatures, that understood 
nothing;" and Pappus seems to have estimated them very low, 
for in his Synodicon to that council, he tells us, that having 
." promiscuously put all the books that were referred to the 
Council for determination, under ■ the communion table in a 
church, they besought the Lord that the inspired writings might 

* Abp. Wake's Apostolical Fathers, Bagster's Edition, 8vo., Prelim. 
Disc. p. 155. 

f Socrates, Schol. Eccl. Hist. b. i. c. 8. \ Ibid. c. 9. 



PREFACE. xvii 

get upon the table, while the spurious ones remained under- 
neath, and that it happened accordingly." A commentator* 
on this legend suggests that nothing less than such a sight 
could sanctify that fiery zeal which breathes throughout an 
edict published by Constantine, in which he decrees that all 
the writings of Arius should be burned, and that any person 
concealing any writing composed by him, and not immediately 
producing it, and committing it to the flames, should be pun- 
ished with death. f Let us, with the illustrious Jortin,{ con- 
sider a council called and presided over by this Barbarian 
Founder of the church militant : — by what various motives the 
various Bishops may have been influenced ; as by reverence 
to the emperor, or to his counsellors and favorites, his slaves and 
eunuchs ; by the fear of offending some great prelate, as a Bishop 
of Rome or of Alexandria, who had it in his power to insult, vex, 
and plague all the Bishops within and without his jurisdiction; 
by the dread of passing for Heretics, and of being calumniated, 
reviled, hated, anathematized, excommunicated, imprisoned, 
banished, fined, beggared, starved, if they refused to submit; by 
compliance with some active, leading, and imperious Spirits ; by 
a deference to the majority ; by a love of dictating and domi- 
neering, of applause and respect ; by vanity and ambition ; by 
a total ignorance of the question in debate, or a total indiffer- 
ence about it; by private friendships; by enmity and resent- 
ment ; by old prejudices ; by hopes of gain ; by an indolent dis- 
position ; by goodnature ; by the fatigue of attending, and a desire 
to be at home ; by the love of peace and quiet ; and a hatred of 
contention, &c.§ Whosoever takes these things into due con- 



. * Mace's N. Test. p. 875. 
t Socrates, Scliol. Eccl. Hist. b. i. c. 9. 
X Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177. 

§ These considerations are more or less natural on becoming ac- 
quainted with the proceedings of every Council, from that of Nice to 
that of Trent in the year 1545, which, Father Paul says, was for 
B2 



xviii PREFACE. 

sideration will not be disposed to pay a blind deference to the 
authority of General Councils, but will rather be inclined to judge 
that " the Council held by the Apostles at Jerusalem was the 
first and the last in which the Holy Spirit may be affirmed to 
have presided."* 

In accommodation to this opinion, the Church of England 
compels her Clergy to subscribe to the following among the 
thirty-nine 'Articles of Religion :'f " When General Councils 
be gathered together (forasmuch as they'be an assembly of 
men, whereof all be not governed with the Spirit and Will 
of God) they may err, and sometimes have erred, even in 
things pertaining unto God : wherefore things ordained by them 
as necessary to salvation have neither strength nor authority, 
unless it may be declared that they be taken out of Holy 
Scripture." 

After eighteen centuries of bloodshed and cruelties perpe- 



divers ends, and by divers means, procured and hastened, hindered 
and deferred, for two-and-twenty years ; and, for eighteen years more, 
was sometimes assembled and sometimes dissolved. Brent, a Trans- 
lator of Paul's History of that council, says, " it would be infinite to 
relate the stratagems the Bishops of Rome used to divert the council 
before it began, their postings to and fro, to hinder the proposing of 
those things which they thought would diminish their profit or pull 
down their pride ; and their policies to enthral the prelates, and to 
procure a majority of voices." 

It is stated by Guicciardini, that " as the priests were raised step by 
step to earthly power, they cared less and less for religious precepts. 
Using their spiritual only as an instrument of their temporal authority, 
their business was no more sanctity of fife, increase of religion, and 
love and charity towards their neighbours ; but fomenting wars among 
Christians, and employing all arts and snares to scrape money together : 
and making new laws against the people. Hence they were no longer 
respected, although by the powerful name of religion they maintained 
their authority, being helped therein," says Guicciardini, "by the facul- 
ty ivhich they have of gratifying princes." — Guicciardini's Hist. b. iv. 

* Jortin's Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177. f Art. xxi. 



PREFACE. xix 

trated in the name of Christianity, it is gradually emerging 
from the mystifying subtleties of Fathers, Councils, and Hie- 
rarchies, and the incumbering edicts of Soldier-kings and Pa- 
pal decretals. Charmed by the loveliness of its primitive sim- 
plicity, every sincere human heart will become a temple for 
its habitation, and every man become a priest unto himself. 
Thus, and thus only, will be established the Religion of Him, 
who, having the same interest with ourselves in the welfare of 
mankind, left us, for the Rule of our Happiness, the sum and 
substance of His Code of peace and good will : — Whatsoever 
ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them. 

By some persons of the multitude, commonly known by the 
name of Christians, and who profess to suppose they do God 
service by calling themselves so, the Editor has been attacked 
with a malignity and fury that would have graced the age of 
Mary and Elizabeth, when Catholics put to death Protestants, 
and Protestants put to death Catholics, for the sake of Him 
who commanded mankind to love one another. To these as- 
sailants, he owes no explanation ; to the craft of disingenuous 
criticism, he offers no reply ; to the bolt of the Bigot, and the 
shaft of the Shrine-maker, he scarcely condescends the oppo- 
sition of a smile. 

February 13th, 1821. 



THE ORDER OF ALL THE BOOKS 

OF THE 

APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT. 



NAMES. 



No. 

Chap 



Authorities. — See also the Authorities more at large in the 
Notices before each Book. 



Mary hath . . . 
Protevangelion 



I. Infancy . 

II. Infancy 



Christ and Abgarus 
Nicodemus . . . 



Apostles' Creed in 
its ancient state . 



Apostles' Creed in 

its present state . 

Laodiceans 



Paul and Seneca . 



Paul and Thecla . 



I. Corinthians . . . 

II. Corinthians . . 

Barnabas 

Ephesians 

Magnesians 

Trallians 

Romans 

Philadelphians . . 

SmyrnaBans 

Polycarp 

Philippians 

I. Hernias— Visions 

II. Hernias — Com- 
mands 

III. Hernias— Si- 
militudes 



14 



11 



In the works of St. Jerome, a father of the 
Church, who died A. D. 420. 

Postellus brought the MS. from the Levant, 
translated it into Latin, and caused it to be 
printed at Zurich in 1552. 

Received by the Gnostics, a sect of Christians 
in the second century, and translated into Eng- 
lish by Mr. Henry Sike, Oriental Professor at 
Cambridge in 1697. 

Printed by Professor Cotelerius in a note to 
his Works of the Apostolic Fathers, from a MS. 
in the King of France's library, No. 2279, and 
Bishop of CeBsarea, A. D. 315. 

Preserved by Eusebius, one of the Council of 
Nice, in his Ecclesiastical History. B. I. c. 13. 
• Published by Professor Grynseus in the Or- 
thodoxographia, 1555, torn. ii. p. 643. 

Without the articles of Christ's Descent into 
Hell and the Communion of Saints. See it thus 
handed down in Mr. Justice Bailey's edition of 
the Book qf Common Prayer, 8vo. 1813, p. 9. 
note : Also in Bingham's Antiquities of the 
Christian Church, folio, 1726. B. 10. c. 4. s. 12. 

In the Book of Common Prayer of the Church 
of England. 

From ancient MSS. in the Sorbonne and the 
Library of loannes a Viridario at Padua. See 
also Poole's Annotations on Col. iv. 16. and 
Harl. MSS. Cod. 1212. 

Jerome ranks Seneca on account of these 
Epistles amongst the holy writers of the Church. 
They are preserved by Sixtus Senensis in his 
Bibliotheque, p. 89, 90 

From the Greek MS. in the Bodleian Library, 
copied by Dr. Mills, and transmitted to Dr. Grabe, 
who edited arid printed it in his Spicilegium. 

These are The" Genuine Epistles of the Apos- 
tolical Fathers : being, together with the Holy Scrip- 
tures of the New Testament, a complete collection 
of the most primitive Antiquity for about a hundred 
and fifty years after Chri st . Translated and pub- 
lished with a large preliminary discourse relating 
to the several Treatises, by the most Reverend Father 
in God, William (Wake) Lord Bishop of Lincoln ," 
afterwards Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. The 
authorities and proofs adduced by this erudite 
and honest prelate, will be found in great num- 
ber in the Introduction and Discourses to the 
Edition of the Archbishop's Translation of these 
Epistles, published in 1817, by Mr. Bagster, 
Paternoster Row. 



THE 



APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT. 



The GOSPEL of the BIRTH of MARY. 



[In the primitive ages, there was a Gospel extant bearing this name, attributed to St. Mat- 
thew, and received as genuine and authentic by several of the ancient Christian sects. It is 
to be found in the works of Jerome, a Father of the Church, who flourished in the fourth cen- 
tury, from whence the present translation is made. His contemporaries, Epiphanius, Bishop 
of Salamis, and Austin, also mention a Gospel under this title. The ancient copies differed 
from Jerome's ; for from one of them the learned Faustus, a native of Britain, who became 
Bishop of Riez, in Provence, endeavoured to prove that Christ was not the Son of God till after 
his baptism; and that he was not of the house of David and tribe of Judah, because, according 
to the Gospel he cited, the Virgin herself was not of this tribe, but of the tribe of Levi ; her 
father being a priest of the name of Joachim. It was likewise from this Gospel that the sect 
of the Collyridians established the worship and offering of manchet bread and cracknels, or 
fine wafers, as sacrifices to Mary, whom they imagined to have been born of a Virgin, as 
Christ is related in the Canonical Gospels to have been born of her. Epiphanius likewise cites 
a passage concerning the death of Zacharias, which is not in Jerome's copy, viz. " That it was 
the occasion of the death of Zacharias in the temple, that when he had seen a vision, he, 
through surprise, was willing to disclose it, and his mouth was stopped. That which he saw 
was at the time of his offering incense, and it was a man standing in the form of an ass. 
When he was gone out, and had a mind to speak thus to the people, Wo unto you ; whom do ye 
worship ? he who had appeared to him in the temple took away the use of his speech. After- 
wards, when he recovered it, and was able to speak, he declared this to the Jews, and they 
slew him. They add (viz. the Gnostics in this book), thatonthis very account the high-priest 
was appointed by their lawgiver (by God to Moses) to carry little bells, that whensoever he 
went into the temple to sacrifice, he, whom they worshipped, hearing the noise of the bells, 
might have time enough to hide himself, and not be caught in that ugly shape and figure." 
— The principal part of this Gospel is contained in the Protevangelion of James, which fol- 
lows next in order.] 



CHAP. I. 

1 The parentage of Mary. 7 Joachim her 
father, and Anna her mother, go to Jerusa- 
lem to the feast of the dedication. 7 Issa- 
char the high-priest reproaches Joachim for 
being childless. 

THE blessed and ever glori- 
ous Virgin Mary, sprung 
from the royal race and family 
of David, was born in the city 
of Nazareth, and educated at 
Jerusalem, in the temple of the 
Lord. 

2 Her father's name was Joa- 
chim, and her mother's Anna. 
The family of her father was of 
Galilee and the city of Nazareth. 
1 



The family of her mother was 
of Bethlehem. 

3 Their lives were plain and 
right in the sight of the Lord, 
pious and faultless before men. 
For they divided all their sub- 
stance into three parts : 

4 One of which they devoted 
to the temple and officers of the 
temple ; another they distributed 
among strangers, and persons in 
poor circumstances ; and the 
third they reserved for them- 
selves and the uses of their own 
family. 

5 In this manner they lived 

1 



Mary' s parents barren. MARY. 



An angel appears. 



for about twenty years chastely, 
in the favour of God, and the 
esteem of men, without any chil- 
dren. 

6 But they vowed, if God 
should favour them with any 
issue, they would devote it to 
the service of the Lord ; on 
which account they went at 
every feast in the year to the 
temple of the Lord. 1 

7 fl And it came to pass, 
that when the feast of the dedi- 
cation drew near, Joachim, with 
some others of his tribe, went up 
to Jerusalem, and, at that time, 
Issachar was high-priest ; 

8 Who, when he saw Joachim 
along with the rest of his neigh- 
bours, bringing his offerings, de- 
spised both him and his offer- 
ings, and asked him, 

9 Why he, who had no chil- 
dren, would presume to appear 
among those who had 1 Adding, 
that his offerings could never be 
acceptable to God, who was 
judged by him unworthy to have 
children ; the Scripture having 
said, Cursed is every one who 
shall not beget a male in Israel. 

10 He further said, that he 
ought first to be free from that 
curse by begetting some issue, 
and then come with his offerings 
into the presence of God. 

11 But Joachim, being much 
confounded with the shame of 
such reproach, retired to the 
shepherds who were with the 
cattle in their pastures ; 

12 For he was not inclined to 
return home, lest his neighbours, 
who were present and heard all 

1 1 Sam. i. 6, 7, &c. 
2 



this from the high-priest, should 
publicly reproach him in the 
same manner. 

CHAP. II. 

1 An angel appears to Joachim, 9 and in- 
forms him that Anna shall conceive and 
bring forth a daughter, who shall be called 
Mary, 11 be brought up in the temple, 
12 and while yet a virgin, in a way unpar- 
alleled, bring forth the Son of God; 13 
gives him a sign, 14 and departs. 

UT when he had been there 
for some time, on a certain 
day, when he was alone, the an- 
gel of the Lord stood by him 
with a prodigious light, 

2 To whom, being troubled 
at the appearance, the angel who 
had appeared to him, endeavour- 
ing to compose him, said, 

3 Be not afraid, Joachim, nor 
troubled at the sight of me, for 
I am an angel of the Lord, sent 
by him to you, that I might in- 
form you, that your prayers are 
heard, and your alms ascended 
in the sight of God. 2 

4 For he hath surely seen 
your shame, and heard you un- 
justly reproached for not having 
children ; for God is the avenger 
of sin, and not of nature ; 

5 And so, when he shuts the 
womb of any person, he does it 
for this reason, that he may in a 
more wonderful manner again 
open it, and that which is born 
appear to be not the product of 
lust, but the gift of God. 

6 For the first mother of your 
nation, Sarah, was she not bar- 
ren even till her eightieth year ; 
and yet, even in the end of her 
old age, brought forth Isaac, in 

2 Acts, x. 4. 



and promises 



MARY. 



them a child. 



whom the promise was made of 
a blessing to all nations. 1 

7 Rachel also, so much in 
favour with God, and beloved so 
much by holy Jacob, continued 
barren for a long time, yet after- 
wards was the mother of Joseph, 
who was not only governor of 
Egypt, but delivered many na- 
tions from perishing with hun- 
ger. 2 

8 Who, among the judges, 
was more valiant than Samson, 
or more holy than Samuel 1 And 
yet both their mothers were bar- 
ren. 3 

9 But if reason will not con- 
vince you of the truth of my 
words, that there are frequent 
conceptions in advanced years, 
and that those who were barren 
have brought forth to their great 
surprise ; therefore Anna your 
wife shall bring you a daughter, 
and you shall call her name 
Mary ; 

10 She shall, according to 
your vow, be devoted to the Lord 
from her infancy, and be filled 
with the Holy Ghost from her 
mother's womb ; 4 

11 She shall neither eat nor 
drink any thing which is un- 
clean, nor shall her conversation 
be without among the common 
people, but in the temple of the 
Lord ; that so she may not fall 
under any slander or suspicion 
of what is bad. 

12 So in the process of her 
years, as she shall be in a mira- 
culous manner born of one that 
was barren, so she shall, while 

1 Gen. xvi. 2, &c. and xviii. 10, &c. 

2 Gen. xxx. 1—29, and xli. 1, &c. 

3 Judg-. xiii. 2. and 1 Sam. i. 6, &c. 



yet a virgin, in a way unparal- 
leled, bring forth the Son of the 
most High God, who shall be 
called Jesus, and, according to 
the signification of his name, be 
the Saviour of all nations. 5 

13 And this shall be a sign to 
you of the things which I de- 
clare, namely, when you come 
to the golden gate of Jerusalem, 
you shall there meet your wife 
Anna, who, being very much 
troubled that you returned no 
sooner, shall then rejoice to see 
you. 

14 When the angel had said 
this, he departed from him. 

CHAP. III. 

1 The angel appears to Anna; 2 tells her a 
daughter shall be born unto her, 3 devoted 
to the service of the Lord in the temple, 5 
who, being a virgin, and not knowing man, 
shall bring forth the Lord, 6 and gives her 
a sign thereof. 8 Joachim and Anna meet, 
and rejoice, 10 and praise the Lord. 11 
Anna conceives, and brings forth a daughter 
called Mary. 

AFTERWARDS the angel 
appeared to Anna his wife, 
saying, Fear not, neither think 
that which you see is a spirit ; 6 

2 For I am that angel who 
hath offered up your prayers and 
alms before God, and am now 
sent to you, that I may inform 
you, that a daughter will be born 
unto you, who shall be called 
Mary, and shall be blessed above 
all women. 7 

3 She shall be, immediately 
upon her birth, full of the grace 
of the Lord, and shall continue 
during the three years of her 
weaning in her father's house, 
and afterwards, being devoted 



4 Luke, i. 15. 
6 Matt. xiv. 2G. 



5 Matt. i. 21. 
7 Luke i. 28. 



Anna conceives. 



MARY. 



Mary bom. 



to the service of the Lord, shall 
not depart from the temple, till 
she arrives to years of discretion. 

4 In a word, she shall there 
serve the Lord night and day in 
fasting and prayer, 1 shall abstain 
from every unclean thing, and 
never know any man ; 

5 But, being an unparalleled 
instance, without any pollution 
or defilement, and a virgin not 
knowing any man, shall ,bring 
forth a son, and a maid shall 
bring forth the Lord, who, both 
by his grace and name and 
works, shall be the Saviour of 
the World. 

6 Arise therefore, and go up 
to Jerusalem, and when you 
shall come to that which is 
called the golden gate (because 
it is gilt with gold), as a sign of 
what I have told you, you shall 
meet your husband, for whose 
safety you have been so much 
concerned. 

7 When therefore you find 
these things thus accomplished, 
believe that all the rest which I 
have told you, shall also undoubt- 
edly be accomplished. 

8 fl According therefore to 
the command of the angel, both 
of them left the places where 
they were, and when they came 
to the place specified in the an- 
gel's prediction, they met each 
other. 

9 Then, rejoicing at each 
other's vision, and being fully 
satisfied in the promise of a 
child, they gave due thanks to 
the Lord, who exalts the humble. 

10 After having praised the 

1 Luke ii. 37. 

4 



Lord, they returned home, and 
lived in a cheerful and assured 
expectation of the promise of 
God. 

11 t| So Anna conceived, 
and brought forth a daughter, 
and, according to the angel's 
command, the parents did call 
her name Mary. 

CHAP. IV. 

1 Mary brought "to the temple at three years 
old. 6 Ascends the stairs of the temple by 
miracle. 8 Her parents sacrifice and return 
home. 

ND when three years were 
expired, and the time of 
her weaning complete, they 
brought the Virgin to the tem- 
ple of the Lord with offerings. 

2 And there were about the 
temple, according to the fifteen 
Psalms of Degrees, 2 fifteen stairs 
to ascend. 

3 For, the temple being built 
in a mountain, the altar of burnt- 
ofTering, which was without, 
could not be come near but by 
stairs. 

4 The parents of the blessed 
Virgin and infant Mary put her 
upon one of these stairs ; 

5 But while they were putting 
off their clothes, in which they 
had travelled, and according to 
custom putting on some that, 
were more neat and clean, 

6 In the mean time, the Vir- 
gin of the Lord in such a man- 
ner went up all the stairs one 
after another, without the help 
of any to lead her or lift her, 
that any one would have judged 
from hence, that she was of per- 
fect age. 

2 Those Psalms are from the 120th. to 
the 134th, including both. 



Ministered unto 



MARY. 



by angels. 



7 Thus the Lord did, in the 
infancy of his Virgin, work this 
extraordinary work, and evi- 
dence by this miracle how great 
she was like to be hereafter. 

8 But the parents, having 
offered up their sacrifice, ac- 
cording to the custom of the 
law, and perfected their vow, 
left the Virgin with other virgins 
in the apartments of the temple, 
who were to be brought up there, 
and they returned home. 

CHAP. V. 

2 Mary ministered unto by angels. 4 The 
high priest orders all virgins of fourteen 
years old to quit the temple and endeavour 
to be married. Mary refuses, 6 having 
vowed her virginity to the Lord. 7 The 
high-priest commands a meeting of the 
chief persons of Jerusalem, 11 who seek the 
Lord for counsel in the matter. 13 A voice 
from the mercy-seat. 16 The high-priest 
obeys it by ordering all the unmarried men 
of the house of David to bring their rods to 
the altar, 17 that his rod which should 
flower, and on which the Spirit of God 
should sit, should betroth the Virgin. 

BUT the Virgin of the 
Lord, as she advanced 
in years, increased also in per- 
fections, and according to the 
saying of the Psalmist, her fa- 
ther and mother forsook her, 
but the Lord took care of 
her. 

2 For she every day had the 
conversation of angels, and every 
day received visions from God, 
which preserved her from all 
sorts of evil, and caused her to 
abound with all good things ; 

3 So that when at length she 
arrived to her fourteenth year, 
as the wicked could not lay any 
thing to her charge worthy of 
reproof, so all good persons, who 
were acquainted with her, ad- 
mired her life and conversa- 
tion. 

i * 



4 At that time the high-priest 
made a public order, That all 
the virgins who had public set- 
tlements in the temple, and were 
come to this age, should return 
home, and, as they were now of 
a proper maturity, should, ac- 
cording to the custom of their 
country, endeavour to be mar- 
ried. 

5 To which command, though 
all the other Virgins readily 
yielded obedience, Mary the 
Virgin of the Lord alone an- 
swered, that she could not com- 
ply with it, 

6 Assigning these reasons, 
that both she and her parents 
had devoted her to the service 
of the Lord ; and besides, that 
she had vowed virginity to the 
Lord, which vow she was re- 
solved never to break through 
by lying with a man. 

7 The high-priest being here- 
by brought into a difficulty, 

8 Seeing he durst neither on 
the one hand dissolve the vow, 
and disobey the Scripture, which 
says, Vow and pay, 1 

9 Nor on the other hand in- 
troduce a custom, to which the 
people were strangers, com- 
manded, 

10 That at the approaching 
feast all the principal persons 
both of Jerusalem and the 
neighbouring places should meet 
together, that he might have 
their advice, how he had best 
proceed in so difficult a 
case. 

11 When they were accord- 
ingly met, they unanimously 



11, 



1 Eccles. v. 4 ; 5, 6. and Psalm lxxvi. 



The Virgin 



MARY. 



betrothed. 



agreed to seek the Lord, and 
ask counsel from him on this 
matter. 1 

12 And when they were all 
engaged in prayer, the high 
priest, according to the usual 
way, went to consult God, 

13 And immediately there 
was a voice from the ark, and 
the mercy-seat, which all pres- 
ent heard, that it must be in- 
quired or sought out by a proph- 
ecy of Isaiah, to whom the Vir- 
gin should be given and be 
betrothed ; 

14 For Isaiah saith, There 
shall come forth a rod out of the 
stem of Jesse, and a flower shall 
spring out of its root, 

15 And the Spirit of the Lord 
shall rest upon him, the Spirit 
of Wisdom and Understanding, 
the Spirit of Counsel and Might, 
the Spirit of Knowledge and 
Piety, and the Spirit of the fear 
of the Lord shall fill him. 

16 Then, according to this 
prophecy, he appointed, that all 
the men of the house and family 
of David, who were marriagea- 
ble, and not married, should 
bring their several rods to the 
altar, 

17 And out of whatsoever 
person's rod after it was brought, 
a flower should bud forth, and 
on the top of it the Spirit of the 
Lord should sit in the appear- 
ance of a dove, he should be 
the man to whom the Virgin 
should be given and be be- 
trothed. 



1 Num. xxvii, 21. compared with Exod. 
xxviii. 30. Lev. viii. 8. Deut. xxxiii. 8. 
Ezra ii. 63. Nehem. vii. 65. 

6 



CHAP. VI. 



1 Joseph draws back his rod. 5 The dove 
pitches on it. 6 He betroths Mary, and re- 
turns to Bethlehem.. 7 Mary returns to her 
parents' house at Galilee. 

AMONG the rest there was 
a man named Joseph, of 
the house and family of David, 
and a person very far advanced 
in years, who drew back his rod, 
when every one besides present- 
ed his. 

2 So that when nothing ap- 
peared agreeable to the heavenly 
voice, the high-priest judged it 
proper to consult God again, 

3 Who answered, that he to 
whom the Virgin was to be be- 
trothed was the only person of 
those who were brought together, 
who had not brought his rod. 

4 Joseph therefore was be- 
trayed. 

5 For when he did bring his 
rod, and a dove, coming from 
Heaven, pitched upon the top of 
it, every one plainly saw, that 
the Virgin was to be betrothed 
to him : 

6 Accordingly, the usual cer- 
emonies of betrothing being 
over, he returned to his own 
city of Bethlehem, to set his 
house in order, and make the 
needful provisions for the mar- 
riage. 

7 But the Virgin of the Lord, 
Mary, with seven other virgins 
of the same age, who had been 
weaned at the same time, and 
who had been appointed to at- 
tend her by the priest, returned 
to her parents' house in Galilee. 

CHAP. VII. 

1 The salutation of the Virgin by Gabrio!. 
who explains to her that she shall conceive, 
without lying with a man, while a Virgin, 



Angel Gabriel 



MARY. 



salutes Mary. 



19 by the Holy Ghost coming upon her 
without the heats of lust. 21 She submits. 

NOW at this time of her 
first coming into Galilee, 
the angel Gabriel was sent to 
her from God, to declare to her 
the conception of our Saviour, 
and the manner and way of her 
conceiving him. 

2 Accordingly going in to her, 
he filled the chamber where she 
was with a prodigious light, and 
in a most courteous manner sa- 
luting her, he said, 

3 Hail, Mary ! Virgin of the 
Lord most acceptable ! Oh Vir- 
gin full of grace ! The Lord is 
with you, you are blessed above 
all women, you are blessed above 
all men, that have been hitherto 
born. 1 

4 But the Virgin, who had 
before been well acquainted with 
the countenances of angels, and 
to whom such light from heaven 
was no uncommon thing, 

5 Was neither terrified with 
the vision of the angel, nor as- 
tonished at the greatness of the 
light, but only troubled about 
the angel's words : 

6 And began to consider 
what so extraordinary a saluta- 
tion should mean, what it did 
portend, or what sort of end it 
would have. 2 

7 To this thought the angel, 
divinely inspired, replies ; 

8 Fear not, Mary, as though 
I intended any thing inconsistent 
with your chastity in this saluta- 
tion : 

9 For you have found favour 
with the Lord, because you made 
virginity your choice. 



• Luke, i. 28. 



2 Luke, i. 29. 



10 Therefore while you are a 
virgin, you shall conceive with- 
out sin, and bring forth a son. 

11 He shall be great, because 
he shall reign fr,om sea to sea, 
and from the rivers even to the 
ends of the earth. 3 

12 And he shall be called the 
Son of the Highest ; for he who 
is born in a mean state on earth, 
reigns in an exalted one in 
heaven. 

13 And the Lord shall give 
him the throne of his father 
David, and he shall reign over 
the house of Jacob for ever, and 
of his kingdom there shall be no 
end. 

14 For he is the King of 
Kings, and Lord of Lords, and 
his throne is for ever and 
ever. 

15 To this discourse of the 
angel the Virgin replied, not as 
though she were unbelieving, 
but willing to know the manner 
of it: 

16 She said, How can that 
be? For seeing, according to 
my vow, I never have known 
any man, how can I bear a child 
without the addition of a manV 
seed? 

17 To this the angel replied 
and said, Think not, Mary, that 
you shall conceive in the ordi- 
nary way. 

18 For, without lying with a 
man, while a Virgin, you shall 
conceive ; while a Virgin, you 
shall bring forth; and while a 
Virgin, shall give suck : 

19 For the Holy Ghost shall 
come upon you, and the povve? 
of the Most High shall over 

3 Luke, i. 31, &e. 
7 



Mary is married 

shadow you, without any of the 
heats of lust. 

20 So that which shall be 
born of you shall be only holy, 
because it only is conceived 
without sin, and being born, 
shall be called the Son of God. 

21 Then Mary, stretching 
forth her hands, and lifting her 
eyes to heaven, said, Behold the 
handmaid of the Lord ! Let it 
be unto me according to thy 
word. 1 

CHAP. VIII. 

1 Joseph returns to Galilee to marry the Vir- 
gin he had betrothed, 4 perceives she is 
with child, 5 is uneasy, 7 purposes to 
put her away privily, 8 is told by the an- 
gel of the Lord it is not the work of man, 
but the Holy Ghost. 12 Marries her, but 
keeps chaste, 13 removes with her to Beth- 
lehem, 15 where she brings forth Christ. 

JOSEPH therefore went 
from Judaea to Galilee, 
with intention to marry the 
Virgin who was betrothed to 
him ; 

2 For it was now near three 
months since she was betrothed 
to him. 

3 At length it plainly appear- 
ed she was with child, and it 
could not be hid from Joseph : 

4 For going to the Virgin in 
a free manner, as one espoused, 
and talking familiarly with her, 
he perceived her to be with child, 

5 And thereupon began to be 
uneasy and doubtful, not know- 
ing what course it would be best 
to take ; 

6 For being a just man, he 
was not willing to expose her, 
nor defame her by the suspicion 
of being a whore, since he was 
a pious man. 

7 He purposed therefore pri- 



Luke, 

8 



38. 



MARY. to Joseph. 



vately to put an end to their 
agreement, and as privately to 
send her away. 

8 But while he was meditat- 
ing these things, 2 behold, the 
angel of the Lord appeared to 
him in his sleep, and said, 
Joseph, son of David, fear not ; 

9 Be not willing to entertain 
any suspicion of the Virgin's 
being guilty of fornication, or to 
think any thing amiss of her, 
neither be afraid to take her to 
wife ; 

10 For that which is begotten 
in her, and now distresses your 
mind, is not the work of man, 
but the Holy Ghost. 

11 For she of all women is 
that only Virgin who shall bring 
forth the Son of God, and you 
shall call his name Jesus, that 
is, Saviour ; for he will save his 
people from their sins. 

12 Joseph thereupon, accord- 
ing to the command of the an- 
gel, married the Virgin, and did 
not know her, but kept her in 
chastity. 

13 And now the ninth month 
from her conception drew near, 
when Joseph took his wife and 
what other things were necessa- 
ry to Bethlehem, the city from 
whence he came.' 

14 And it came to pass, while 
they w T ere there, the days were 
fulfilled for her bringing forth, 

15 And she brought forth her 
first-born son, as the holy Evan- 
gelists have taught, even our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who with the 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
lives and reigns to everlasting 
ages. 

2 Matt. i. 20. 



The PROTEVANGELION; or, An Historical Account of 
the BIRTH of CHRIST, and the perpetual VIRGIN MARY 
his Mother, by JAMES the Lesser, Cousin and Brother 
of die Lord Jesus, chief Apostle and first Bishop of the Chris- 
tians in Jerusalem. 

[This Gospel is ascribed to James. The allusions to it in the ancient Fathers are frequent, 
and their expressions indicate that it had obtained a very general credit in the Christian 
world. The controversies founded upon it chiefly relate to the age of Joseph at the Birth 
of Christ, and to his being a widower, with children, before his marriage with the Virgin. 
It seems material to remark, that the legends of the latter ages affirm the virginity of Jo- 
seph, notwithstanding Epiphanius, Hilary, Chrysostom, Cyril, Euthymius, Theophylact, 
Oecumenius, and, indeed, all the Latin Fathers till Ambrose, and the Greek Fathers after- 
wards, maintain the opinions of Joseph's age and family, founded upon their belief in the 
authenticity of this book. It is supposed to have been originally composed in Hebrew. 
Postellus brought the MS. of this Gospel from the Levant, translated it into Latin, and 
sent it to Oporinus, a printer at Basil, where Bibliander, a Protestant divine, and the Pro- 
fessor of Divinity at Zurich, caused it to be printed in 1552. Postellus asserts, that it was 
publicly read as canonical in the Eastern Churches, they making no doubt that James was 
the author of it. It is, nevertheless, considered apocryphal by some of the most learned di- 
vines in the Protestant and Catholic churches.] 



CHAP. I. 

1 Joachim, a rich man, 2 offers to the Lord, 
3 is opposed by Reuben the high-priest, be- 
cause he has not begotten issue in Israel, 6 
retires into the wilderness and fasts forty 
days and forty nights. 

IN the history of the twelve 
tribes of Israel we read there 
was a certain person called Joa- 
chim, who, being very rich, made 
double 1 offerings to the Lord 
God, having made this resolu- 
tion : My substance shall be for 
the benefit of the whole people, 
and that I may find mercy from 
the Lord God for the forgiveness 
of my sins. 

2 But at a certain great feast 
of the Lord, when the children 
of Israel offered their gifts, and 
Joachim also offered his, Reu- 
ben the high-priest opposed him, 
saying, It is not lawful for thee 
to offer thy gifts, seeing thou 
hast not begot any issue in Is- 
rael. 

3 At this Joachim being con- 
That is, gave as much more as he 

w 0u obliged to give. 



cerned very much, went away 
to consult the registries of the 
twelve tribes, to see whether he 
was the only person who had be- 
got no issue. 

4 But upon inquiry he found, 
that all the righteous had raised 
up seed in Israel : 

5 Then he called to mind the 
patriarch Abraham, how that 
God in the end of his life had 
given him his son Isaac ; upon 
which he was exceedingly dis- 
tressed, and would not be seen 
by his wife ; 

6 But retired into the wilder- 
ness, and fixed his tent there, 
and fasted forty days and forty 
nights, saying to himself, 

7 I will not go down either to 
eat or drink, till the Lord my 
God shall look down upon me, 
but prayer shall be my meat and 
drink. 2 

2 In imitation of the forty days' and 
nights 7 fast of Moses, recorded Exocl. 
xxiv. 18. xxxiv. 28. Deut. ix. 9 3 of Eli- 
jah, 1 King-s, xix. 8 5 and Christ's, Matl. 
lv. 2. 

9 



Anna's 



PROTEVANGELION. 



barrenness. 



CHAP. II. 

1 Anna, the wife of Joachim, mourns her bar" 
renness, 6 is reproached with it by Judith her 
maid, 9 sits under a laurel tree, and prays to 
the Lord. 

"N the mean time his wife An- 
na was distressed and per- 
plexed on a double account, and 
said, I will mourn both for my 
widowhood, and my barrenness. 

2 Then drew near a great 
feast of the Lord, and Judith her 
maid said, How long will you 
thus afflict your soul ? The feast 
of the Lord is now come, when 
it is unlawful for any one to 
mourn. 

3 Take therefore this hood 
which was given me by one who 
makes such things, for it is not 
fit that I, who am a servant, 
should wear it, but it well suits 
a person of your greater charac- 
ter. 

4 But Anna replied, Depart 
from me, I am not used to such 
things; besides, the Lord hath 
greatly humbled me. 

5 I fear some ill-designing 
person hath given thee this, and 
thou art come to pollute me with 
thy sin. 

6 Then Judith her maid an- 
swered, What evil shall I wish, 
since vou will not hearken to 
me? 

7 I cannot wish you a greater 
• curse than you are under, in that 

God hath shut up your womb, 
that you should not be a mother 
in Israel. 

8 At this Anna was exceed- 
ingly troubled, and having on 
her wedding garment, went about 
three o'clock in the afternoon to 
walk in her garden. 

9 And she saw a laurel-tree, 

10 



and sat under it, and prayed un- 
to the Lord, saying, 

10 O God of my fathers, bless 
me, and regard my prayer, as 
thou didst bless the womb of Sa- 
rah, and gavest her a son Isaac. 1 

CHAP. III. 

1 Anna, perceiving a sparrow's nest in the 
laurel, bemoans her barrenness. 

ND as she was looking to- 
wards heaven, she perceived 
a sparrow's nest in the laurel, 

2 And mourning within her- 
self, she said, Wo is me, who 
begat me 1 and what womb did 
bare me, that I should be thus 
accursed before the children of 
Israel, and that they should re- 
proach and deride me in the 
temple of my God : wo is me, to 
what can I be compared 1 

3 I am not comparable to the 
very beasts of the earth, for even 
the beasts of the earth are fruit- 
ful before thee, O Lord ! Wo 
is me, to what can I be com- 
pared ? 

4 I am not comparable to the 
brute animals, for even the brute 
animals are fruitful before thee, 
O Lord ! Wo is me, to what 
am I comparable ? 

5 I cannot be compared to 
these waters, for even the waters 
are fruitful before thee, O Lord ! 
Wo is me, to what can I be com- 
pared 1 

6 I am not comparable to the 
waves of the sea; for these, 
whether they are calm, or in mo- 
tion, with the fishes which are in 
them, praise thee, O Lord ! Wo 
is me, to what can I be com- 
pared ? 

. * Gen. xxi. 2. 



Angels foretell PROTEVANGELION. 



Martfs birth. 



7 I am not . comparable to 
the very earth, for the earth pro- 
duces its fruits, and praises thee, 

Lord ! 

CHAP. IV. 

1 An angel appears to Anna, and tells her she 
shall conceive ; 3 two angels appear to her 
on the same errand. 5 Joachim sacrifices. 
8 Anna goes to meet him, 9 rejoicing that 
she shall conceive. 

THEN an angel of the Lord 
stood by her, and said, An- 
na, Anna, the Lord hath heard 
thy prayer ; thou shalt conceive 
and bring forth, and thy progeny 
shall be spoken of in all the 
world. 

2 And Anna answered, As 
the Lord my God liveth, what- 
ever I bring forth, whether it be 
male or female, I will devote it 
to the Lord my God, and it shall 
minister to him in holy things, 
during its whole life. 

3 And behold there appeared 
two angels, saying unto her, Be- 
hold Joachim thy husband is 
coming with his shepherds, 

4 For an angel of the Lord 
hath also come down to him, 
and said, The Lord God hath 
heard thy prayer ; make haste 
and go hence, for behold Anna 
thy wife shall conceive. 

5 And Joachim went down, 
and called his shepherds, saying, 
Bring me hither ten she-lambs, 
without spot or blemish, and they 
shall be for the Lord my God, 

6 And bring me twelve calves 
without blemish, and the twelve 
calves shall be for the priests 
and the elders. 

7 Bring me also a hundred 
goats, and the hundred goats 
shall be for the whole people. 



8 And Joachim went down 
with the shepherds, and Anna 
stood by the gate and saw Joa- 
chim coming with the shepherds, 

9 And she ran, and hanging 
about his neck, said, Now I 
know that the Lord hath greatly 
blessed me ; 

10 For behold, I who was a 
widow am no longer a widow, 
and I who was barren shall con- 



ceive. 



CHAP. V. 



1 Joachim abides the first day in his house, 
but sacrifices on the morrow, 2 consults the 
plate on the priest's forehead, 3 and is with- 
out sin. 6 Anns, brings forth a daughter, 
9 whom she calls Mary. 

ND Joachim abode the first 
day in his house, but on the 
morrow he brought his offerings, 
and said, 

2 If the Lord be propitious to 
me, let the plate which is on the 
high-priest's forehead 1 make it 
manifest. 

3 And he consulted the plate 
which the priest wore, and saw 
it, and behold sin was not found 
in him. 

4 And Joachim said, Now I 
know that the Lord is propitious 
to me, ana 1 hath taken away all 
my sins. 

5 And he went down from 
the temple of the Lord justified, 
and he went to his own house. 

6 And when nine months 
were fulfilled to Anna, she 
brought forth, and said to the 
midwife, What have I brought 
forth? 

7 And she told her, A girl. 

1 Such an instrument God had ap- 
pointed the high-priest to wear for such 
discoveries. See Exod. xxviii. 36, &c. 
and Spencer de TJrim et Thummim. 
11 



Mary's 



PROTEVANGELION. 



dedication. 



8 Then Anna said, The Lord 
hath this day magnified my soul ; 
and she laid her in bed. 

9 And when the days of her 
purification were accomplished, 
she gave suck to the child, and 
called her name Mary. 

' CHAP. VI. 

1 Mary, at nine months old, walks nine steps, 
3 Anna keeps her holy, 4 when she is a year 
old, Joachim makes a great feast, 7 Anna 
gives her the breast, and sings a song to the 
Lord. 

AND the child increased in 
strength every day, so that 
when she was nine months old, 
her mother put her upon the 
ground to try if she could stand ; 
and when she had walked nine 
steps, she came again to her 
mother's lap. 

2 Then her mother caught 
her up, and said, As the Lord 
my God liveth, thou shalt not 
w r alk again on this earth, till I 
bring thee into the temple of the 
Lord. 

3 Accordingly she made her 
chamber a holy place, and suf- 
fered nothing common or unclean 
to come near her, but invited 
certain undefiled daughters of 
Israel, and they drew her aside. 

4 But when the child was a 
year old, Joachim made a great 
feast, and invited the priests, 
scribes, elders, and all the peo- 
ple of Israel ; 

5 And Joachim then made an 
offering of the girl to the chief 
priests, and they blessed her, 
saying, The God of our fathers 
bless this girl, and give her a 
name famous and lasting through 
all generations. And all the 
people replied, So be it, Amen : 

12 



6 Then Joachim a second 
time offered her to the priests, 
and they blessed her, saying, O 
most high God, regard this girl, 
and bless her with an everlast- 
ing blessing. 

7 Upon this her mother took 
her up, and gave her the breast, 
and sung the following song to 
the Lord : x 

8 I will sing a song unto the 
Lord my God, for he hath vis- 
ited me, and taken away from 
me the reproach of mine ene- 
mies, and hath given me the 
fruit of his righteousness, that it 
may now be told to the sons of 
Reuben, that Anna gives suck. 

9 Then she put the child to 
rest in the room which she had 
consecrated, and she went out 
and ministered unto them. 

10 And when the feast was 
ended, they went away rejoicing, 
and praising the God of Israel. 

CHAP. VII. 

3 Mary, being three years old, Joachim causes 
certain virgins to light each a lamp, and 
goes with her to the temple. 5 The high- 
priest places her on the third step of the al- 
tar, and she dances with her feet. 

BUT the girl grew, and when 
she was two years old, Jo- 
achim said to Anna, Let us lead 
her to the temple of the Lord, 
that we may perform our vow 
which we have vowed unto the 
Lord God, lest he should be an- 
gry with us, and our offering be 
unacceptable. 

2 But Anna said, Let us wait 
the third year, lest she should be 
at a loss to know her father. And 
Joachim said, Let us then wait. 

1 Compare 1 Sam. ii. 1, &c. with Luke, 
i. 46. 



Mary fed 



PJtOTEVANGELION. 



by angels. 



1 3 And when the child was 
three years old, Joachim said, 
Let us invite the daughters of the 
Hebrews, who are undefiled, and 
let them take each a lamp, and 
let them be lighted, that the child 
may not turn back again, and 
her mind be set against the tem- 
ple of the Lord. 

4 And they did thus till they 
ascended into the temple of the 
Lord. And the high-priest re- 
ceived her, and blessed her, and 
said, Mary, the Lord God hath 
magnified thy name to all gen- 
erations, and to the very end of 
time by thee will the Lord show 
his redemption to the children 
of Israel. 

5 And he placed her upon the 
third step of the altar, and the 
Lord gave unto her grace, and 
she danced with her feet, and all 
the house of Israel loved her. 

CHAP. VIII. 

2 Mary fed in the temple by angels, 3 when 
twelve years old, the priests consult what to 
do with her. 6 The angel of the Lord warns 
Zacharias to call together all the widowers, 
each bringing a rod. 7 The people meet by 
sound of trumpet. 8 Joseph throws away 
his hatchet, and goes to the meeting, 11 a 
dove comes forth from his rod, and alights 
on his head. 12 He is chosen to betroth the 
Virgin, 13 refuses, because he is an old man, 
15 is compelled, 16 takes her home, and goes 
to mind his trade of building. 

AND her parents went away 
filled with wonder, and 
praising God, because the girl 
did not return back to them. 

2 But Mary continued in the 
temple, as a dove educated there, 
and received her food from the 
hand of an angel. 

3 And when she was twelve 
years of age, the priests met in a 
council, and said, Behold, Mary 
is twelve years of age; what 

2 



shall we do with her, for fear 
lest the holy place of the Lord 
our God should be defiled ? 

4 Then replied the priests to 
Zacharias the high-priest, Do 
you stand at the altar of the Lord, 
and enter into the holy place, 
and make petitions concerning 
her, and whatsoever the Lord 
shall manifest unto you, that do. 

5 Then the high-priest en- 
tered into the Holy of Holies, 
and taking away with him the 
breast-plate of judgment, 1 made 
prayers concerning her ; 

6 And behold the angel of 
the Lord came to him, and said, 
Zacharias, Zacharias, go forth 
and call together all the widow- 
ers among the people, and let 
every one of them bring his rod, 
and he by whom the Lord shall 
show a sign shall be the husband 
of Mary. 

7 And the criers went out 
through all Judasa, and the trum- 
pet of the Lord sounded, and all 
the people ran and met together. 

8 fl Joseph also, throwing 
away his hatchet, went out to 
meet them ; and when they were 
met, they went to the high-priest, 
taking every man his rod. 

9 After the high-priest had 
received their rods, he went into 
the temple to pray ; 

10 And when he had finished 
his prayer, he took the rods, and 
went forth and distributed them, 
and there was no miracle attend- 
ed them. 

11 The last rod was taken by 
Joseph, and behold a dove pro- 
ceeded out of the rod, and flew 
upon the head of Joseph. 

* See Exod. xxviii. 22, &c. 

13 



Mary married PROTEVANGELION 



to Joseph. 



12 And the high-priest said, 
Joseph, Thou art the person cho- 
sen to take the Virgin of the 
Lord, to keep her for him ; 

13 But Joseph refused, say- 
ing, I am an old man, and have 
children, but she is young, and 
I fear lest I should appear ridic- 
ulous in Israel. 

14 Then the high-priest re- 
plied, Joseph, fear the Lord thy 
God, and remember how God 
dealt with Dathan, Korah, and 
Abiram, how the earth opened 
and swallowed them up, because 
of their contradiction. 

15 Now therefore, Joseph, 
fear God, lest the like things 
should happen in your family. 

16 Joseph then, being afraid, 
took her into his house, and Jo- 
seph said unto Mary, Behold I 
have taken thee from the temple 
of the Lord, and now I will leave 
thee in my house ; I must go to 
mind my trade of building. The 
Lord be with thee. 

CHAP. IX. 

1 The priests desire a new veil for the temple, 
3 seven virgins cast lots for making different 
parts of it, 4 the lot to spin the true purple 
falls to Mary. 5 Zacharias, the high-priest, 
becomes dumb. 7 Mary takes a pot to draw 
water, and hears a voice, 8 trembles, and 
begins to work, 9 an angel appears, and sa- 
lutes her, and tells her she shall conceive by 
the Holy Ghost, 17 she submits, 19 visits her 
cousin Elizabeth, 21 whose child in her womb 
leaps. 

AND it came to pass, in a 
council of the priests, it 
was said, Let us make a new 
veil for the temple of the Lord. 

2 And the high-priest said, 
Call together to me seven unde- 
nted virgins of the tribe of David. 

3 And the servants went and 
brought them into the temple of 
the Lord, and the high-priest 

14 



said unto thern, Cast lots before 
me now, who of you shall spin 
the golden thread, who the blue, 
who the scarlet, who the fine 
linen, and who the true purple. 

4 Then the high-priest knew 
Mary, that she was of the tribe 
of David ; and he called her, and 
the true purple fell to her lot to 
spin, and she went away to her 
own house. 

5 But from that time Zachari- 
as the high-priest became dumb, 
and Samuel was placed in his 
room till Zacharias spoke again. 

6 But Mary took the true pur- 
ple, and did spin it. 

7 fl And she took a pot, and 
went out to draw water, and 
heard a voice saying unto her, 
Hail thou who art full of grace, 1 
the Lord is with thee ; thou art 
'blessed among women. 

8 And she looked round to 
the right and to the left, (to see) 
whence that voice came, and 
then trembling went into her 
house, and laying down the 
water-pot, she took the purple, 
and sat down in her seat to 
work it. 

9 And behold the angel of the 
Lord stood by her, and said, 
Fear not, Mary, for thou hast 
found favour in the sight of God ; 

10 Which when she heard, 
she reasoned with herself what 
that sort of salutation meant. 

11 And the angel said unto 
her, The Lord is with thee, and 
thou shalt conceive : 

12 To which she replied, 
What ! shall I conceive by the 
living God, and bring forth as all 
other women do? 

1 Lukei. 28, &c. 



Joseph's 



PROTEVANGELION. 



jealousy. 



13 But the angel returned an- 
swer, Not so, O Mary, but the 
Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, 
and the power of the Most High 
shall overshadow thee ; 

14 Wherefore that which shall 
be born of thee shall be holy, 
and shall be called the Son of 
the living God, and thou shalt 
call his name Jesus ; for he shall 
save his people from their sins. 

15 And behold thy cousin 
Elizabeth, she also hath con- 
ceived a son in her old age. 

16 And this now is the sixth 
month with her who was called 
barren ; for nothing is impossi- 
ble with God. 

17 And Mary said, '"Behold 
the handmaid of the Lord ; let 
it be unto me according to thy 
word. 

18 ft And when she had 
wrought her purple, she carried 
it to the high-priest, and the 
high-priest blessed her, saying, 
Mary, the Lord God hath mag- 
nified thy name, and thou shalt 
be blessed in all the ages of the 
world. 

19 Then Mary, filled with 
joy, went away to her cousin 
Elizabeth, and knocked at the 
door. 

20 Which when Elizabeth 
heard, she ran and opened to 
her, and blessed her, and said, 
Whence is this to me, that the 
mother of my Lord should come 
unto me 1 

21 For lo! as soon as the 
voice of thy salutation reached 
rny ears, that which is in me 
leaped and blessed thee. 

22 But Mary, being ignorant 
of all those mysterious things 



which the archangel Gabriel had 
spoken to her, lifted up her eyes 
to heaven, and said, Lord ! What 
am I, that all the generations of 
the earth should call me blessed T 1 
23 But perceiving herself dai- 
ly to grow big, and being afraid, 
she went home, and hid herself 
from the children of Israel ; and 
was fourteen years old when all 
these things happened. 

CHAP. X. 

1 Joseph returns from building houses, finds 
the Virgin grown big, being six months gone 
with child, 2 is jealous and troubled, 8 re- 
proaches her, 10 she affirms her innocence, 
13 he leaves her, 16 determines to dismiss 
her privily, 17 is warned in a dream that 
Mary is with child by the Holy Ghost, 20 
and. "glorifies God who had shown him such 
favour. 

AND when her sixth month 
was come, Joseph returned 
from his building houses abroad, 
which was his trade, and enter- 
ing into the house, found the 
Virgin grown big : 

2 Then smiting upon his face, 
he said, With what face can I 
look up to the Lord my God 1 or 
what shall I say concerning this 



young woman 



3 For I received her a Virgin 
out of the temple of the Lord my 
God, and have not preserved her 
such ! 

4 Who has thus deceived me ? 
Who has committed this evil in 
my house, and seducing the Vir- 
gin from me, hath defiled her ? 

5 Is not the history of Adam 
exactly accomplished in me? 

6 For in the very instant of his 
glory,the serpent came, and found 
Eve alone, and seduced her. 

7 Just after the same manner 
it has happened to me. 

i Luke i. 48. 
15 



Joseph and 



PHOTEVANGELION. 



Mary's 



8 Then Joseph, arising from 
the ground, called her, and said, 

thou who hast been so much 
favoured by God, why hast thou 
done this ? 

9 Why hast thou thus debased 
thy soul, who wast educated in 
the Holy of Holies, and received 
thy food from the hand of an- 
gels? 

10 But she, with a flood of 
tears, replied, I am innocent, and 
have known n6 man. 

11 Then said Joseph, How 
comes it to pass you are with 
child? 

12 Mary answered, As the 
Lord my God liveth, I know not 
by what means. 

13 fl Then Joseph was ex- 
ceedingly afraid, and went away 
from her, considering what he 
should do with her ; and he thug 
reasoned with himself: 1 

14 If I conceal her crime, I 
shall be found guilty by the law 
of the Lord ; 

15 And if I discover her to 
the children of Israel, I fear, lest 
she being with child by an angel, 

1 shall be found to betray the 
life of an innocent person : 

16 What therefore shall I do ? 
I will privily dismiss her. 

17 Then the night was come 
upon him, when behold an angel 
of the Lord appeared to him in 
a dream, and said, 

18 Be not afraid to take that 
young woman, for that which is 
within her is of the Holy Ghost, 

19 And she shall bring forth 
a son, and thou shalt call his 
name Jesus, for he shall save his 
people from their sins. 

1 See Matt. i. 18. 

16 



20 Then Joseph arose from 
his sleep, and glorified the God 
of Israel, who had shown him 
such favour, and preserved the 
Virgin. 

CHAP. XL 

1 Annas visits Joseph, 3 perceives the Virgin 
big with child, 4 informs the high-priest that 
Joseph had privately married her. 8 Joseph 
and Mary brought to trial on the charge. 17 
Joseph drinks the water of the Lord as an 
ordeal, and receiving no harm, returns home. 

THEN came Annas the 
scribe, and said to Joseph, 
Wherefore have we not seen you 
since your return ? 

2 And Joseph replied, Be- 
cause I was weary after my jour- 
ney, and rested the first day. 

3 B»t Annas, turning about, 
perceived the Virgin big with 
child, 

4 And went away to the priest, 
and told him, Joseph, in whom 
you placed so much confidence, 
is guilty of a notorious crime, in 
that he hath defiled the Virgin 
whom he received out of the 
temple of the Lord, and hath pri- 
vately married her, not discov- 
ering it to the children of Israel. 

5 Then said the priest, Hath 
Joseph done this ? 

6 Annas replied, If you send 
any of your servants, you will 
find that she is with child. 

7 And the servants went, and 
found it as he said. 

8 Upon this both she and Jo- 
seph were brought to their trial ; 
and the priest said unto her, 
Mary, what hast thou done ? 

9 Why hast thou debased thy 
soul, and forgot thy God, seeing 
thou wast brought up in the 
Holy of Holies, and didst receive 
thy food from the hands of 



Chastity 



PROTEVANGELION. 



proved. 



angels, and heardest their 
songs ? 

10 Why hast thou done this ? 

11 To which with a flood of 
tears she answered, As the Lord 
my God liveth, I am innocent in 
his sight, seeing I know no 
man. 

12 Then the priest said to 
Joseph, Why hast thou done 
this? 

13 And Joseph answered, As 
the Lord my God liveth, I have 
not been concerned with her. 

14 But the priest said, Lie 
not, but declare the truth ; thou 
hast privately married her, and 
not discovered it to the children 
of Israel, and humbled thyself 
under the mighty hand (of God), 
that thy seed might be blessed : 

" 15 And Joseph was silent. 

16 Then said the priest (to 
Joseph), You must restore to 
the temple of the Lord the Vir- 
gin which you took thence. 

17 But he wept bitterly, and 
the priest added, I will cause 
you both to drink the water of 
the Lord, 1 which is for trial, and 
so your iniquity shall be laid 
open before you. 

18 Then the priest took the 
water, and made Joseph drink, 
and sent him to a mountainous 
place, 

19 And he returned perfectly 
well, and all the people wonder- 
ed that his guilt was not discov- 
ered. 

20 So the priest said, Since 
the Lord has not made your 
sins evident, neither do I con- 
demn you. 

21 So he sent them away. 

i Num. v. 18. 

2* 



22 Then Joseph took Mary, 
and went to his house, rejoicing 
and praising the God of Israel. 

CHAP. XII. 

1 A decree from Augustus for taxing the Jews, 
5 Joseph puts Mary on an ass, to return to 
Bethlehem, 6 she looks sorrowful, 7 she 
laughs, 8 Joseph inquires the cause of each,' 
9 she tells him she sees two persons, one 
mourning and the other rejoicing. 10 Tha 
delivery being near, he takes her from the 
ass, and places her in a cave. 

AND it came to pass, that 
there went forth a decree 9 
from the Emperor Augustus, 
that all the Jews should be tax- 
ed, who were of Bethlehem in 
Judaea : 

2 And Joseph said, I will 
take care that my children be 
taxed : but what shall I do with 
this young woman ? 

3 To have her taxed as my 
wife, I am ashamed ; and if I 
tax her as my daughter, all Is- 
rael knows she is not my daugh- 
ter. 

4 When the time of the 
Lord's appointment shall come, 
let him do as seems good to him. 

5 And he saddled the ass, 
and put her upon it, and Joseph 
and Simon followed after her, 
and arrived at Bethlehem within 
three miles. 

6 Then Joseph, turning about, 
saw Mary sorrowful, and said 
within himself, Perhaps she is 
in pain through that which is 
within her. 

7 But when he had turned 
about again, he saw her laugh- 
ing, and said to her, 

8 Mary, how happens it, that 
I sometimes see sorrow, and 
sometimes laughter and joy in 
thy countenance 1 

2 Luke, ii. 1. 
17 



Miracles at 



PROTEVANGELION. 



Mary's labor. 



9 And Mary replied to him, 
I see two people with mine eyes, 
the one weeping and mourning, 
the other laughing and rejoicing, 

10 And he went again across 
the way, and Mary said to Jo- 
seph, Take me down from the 
ass, for that which is in me 
presses to come forth. 

11 But Joseph replied, 
Whither shall I take thee 1 for 
the place is desert. 

12 Then said Mary again to 
Joseph, Take me down, for that 
which is within me mightily 
presses me. 

13 And Joseph took her 
down. 

14 And he found there a 
cave, and let her into it. 

CHAP. XIII. 

1 Joseph seeks a Hebrew midwife, 2 per- 
ceives the fowls stopping in their flight, 3 
the working people at their food not moving, 
8 the sheep standing still, 9 the shepherd 
fixed and immovable, 10 and kids with 
their mouths touching the water, but' not 
drinking. 

AND leaving her and his 
sons in the cave, Joseph 
went forth to seek a Hebrew 
midwife in the village of Beth- 
lehem. 

2 But as I was going (said 
Joseph) I looked up into the air, 
and I saw the clouds astonished, 
and the fowls of the air stopping 
in the midst of their flight. 

3 And I looked down towards 
the earth, and saw a table 
spread, and working people sit- 
ting around it, but their hands 
were upon the table, and they 
did not move to eat. 

4 They who had meat in their 
mouths did not eat. 

5 They who lifted their hands 

18 



up to their heads did not draw 
them back : 

6 And they who lifted them 
up to their mouths did not put 
any thing in ; 

7 But all their faces were 
fixed upwards. 

8 And I beheld the sheep 
dispersed, and yet the sheep 
stood still : 

9 And the shepherd lifted up 
his hand to smite them, and his 
hand continued up. 

10 And I looked unto a river, 
and saw the kids with their 
mouths close to the water, and 
touching it, but they did not 
drink. 

CHAP. XIV. 

1 Joseph finds a midwife. 10 A bright 
cloud overshadows the cave. 11 A great 
light in the cave, gradually increases until 
the infant is born. 13 The midwife goes 
out, and tells Salome that she had seen a 
Virgin bring forth. 17 Salome doubts it. 
20 Her hand withers, 22 she supplicates 
the Lord, 28 is cured, 30 but warned 
not to declare what she had seen. 

THEN I beheld a woman 
coming down from the 
mountains, and she said to me, 
Where art thou going, O man? 

2 And I said to her, I go to 
inquire for a Hebrew midwife. 

3 She replied to me, Where 
is the woman that is to be deliv- 
ered ? 

4 And I answered, In the 
cave, and she is betrothed to 
me. 

5 Then said the midwife, Is 
she not thy wife ? 

6 Joseph answered, It is 
Mary, who was educated in the 
Holy of Holies, in the hoftee of 
the Lord, and she fell to me by 
lot, and is not my wife, but has 
conceived by the Holy Ghost. 



Christ 



PROTEVANGELION. 



born. 



7 The midwife said, Is this 
true? 

8 He answered, Come and 
see. 

9 And the midwife went 
along with him, and stood in 
the cave. 

10 Then a bright cloud over- 
shadowed the cave, and the 
midwife said, This day my soul 
is magnified, for mine eyes have 
seen surprising things, and sal- 
vation is brought forth to Israel. 

11 But on a sudden the cloud 
became a great light in the cave, 
so that their eyes could not 
bear it. 

12 But the light gradually 
decreased, until the infant ap- 
peared, and sucked the breast 
of his mother Mary. 

13 Then the midwife cried 
out, and said, How glorious a 
day is this, wherein mine eyes 
have seen this extraordinary 
sight ! 

14 And the midwife went out 
from the cave, and Salome met 
her. 

15 And the midwife said to 
her, Salome, Salome, I will tell 
you a most surprising thing 
which I saw. 

16 A virgin hath brought 
forth, which is a thing contrary 
to nature. 

17 To which Salome replied, 
As the Lord my God liveth, 
unless I receive particular proof 
of this matter, I will not believe 
that a virgin hath brought 
forth. 

18 fl Then Salome went in, 
and the midwife said, Mary, 
show thyself, for a great contro- 
versy is risen concerning thee. 



19 And Salome received sat- 
isfaction. 

20 But her hand was with- 
ered, and she groaned bitterly. 

21 And said, Wo to me, be- 
cause of mine iniquity; for I 
have tempted the living God, 
and my hand is ready to drop 
off. 

22 Then Salome made her 
supplication to the Lord, and 
said, O God of my fathers, re- 
member me, for I am of the 
seed of Abraham, and Isaac, 
and Jacob. 

23 Make me not a reproach 
among the children of Israel, 
but restore me sound to my 
parents. 

24 For thou well knowest, O 
Lord, that I have performed 
many offices of charity in thy 
name, and have received my 
reward from thee. 

25 Upon this an angel of the 
Lord stood by Salome, and said, 
The Lord God hath heard thy 
prayer ; reach forth thy hand to 
the child, and carry him, and 
by that means thou shalt be 
restored. 

26 Salome, filled with ex- 
ceeding joy, went to the child, 
and said, I will touch him ; 

27 And she purposed to wor- 
ship him, for she said, This is 
a great king, which is born in 
Israel. 

28 And - straightway Salome 
was cured. 

29 Then the midwife went 
out of the cave, being approved 
by God. 

30 And lo ! a voice came to 
Salome, Declare not the strange 
things which thou hast seen, till 

19 



The wise 



PROTEVANGELION. 



men. 



the child shall come to Jerusa- 
lem. 

31 So Salome also departed, 
approved by God. 

CHAP. XV. 

1 Wise men come from the east. 3 Herod 
alarmed : 8 desires them, if they find the 
child, to hring him word. 10 They visit 
the cave, and offer the child their treasure, 
11 and being warned in a dream, do not re- 
turn to Herod, but go home another way. 

THEN Joseph was preparing 
to go away, because there 
arose a great disorder in Bethle- 
hem by the coming of 1 some 
wise men from the east, 

2 Who said, Where is the 
king of the Jews born? For 
we have seen his star in the east, 
and are come to worship him. 

3 When Herod heard this, 
he was exceedingly troubled, 
and sent messengers to the wise 
men, and to the priests, and in- 
quired of them in the town-hall, 

4 And said unto them, Where 
have you it written concerning 
Christ the king, or where should 
he be born 1 

5 Then they say unto him, 
In Bethlehem of Judaea ; for 
thus it is written : And thou 
Bethlehem, in the land of Ju- 
dah, art not the least among the 
princes of Judah, for out of 
thee shall come a ruler, who 
shall rule my people Israel. 

6 And having sent away the 
chief priests, he inquired of the 
wise men in the town-hall, and 
said unto them, What sign was 
it ye saw concerning the king 
that is born 1 

7 They answered him, We 
saw an extraordinary large star 
shining among the stars of 

1 Matt. ii. 1, &c. 
20 



heaven, and so out-shined all 
the other stars, as that they be- 
came not visible, and we knew 
thereby that a great king was 
born in Israel, and therefore we 
are come to worship him. 

8 Then said Herod to them, 
Go and make diligent inquiry ; 
and if ye find the child, bring 
me word again, that I may come 
and worship him also. 

9 So the wise men went forth, 
and behold, the star which 
they saw in the east went before 
them, till it came and stood over 
the cave where the young child 
was with Mary his mother. 

10 Then they brought forth 
out of their treasures, and offer- 
ed unto him gold and frankin- 
cense, and myrrh. 

11 And being warned in a 
dream by an angel, that they 
should not return to Herod 
through Judaaa, they departed 
into their own country by 
another way. 

CHAP. XVI. 

1 Herod, enraged, orders all the infants in 
Bethlehem to be slain. 2 Mary puts her 
infant in an ox-manger. 3 Elizabeth flees 
with her son John to the mountains. 6 A 
mountain miraculously divides and receives 
them. 9 Herod, incensed at the escape of 
John, causes Zacharias to be murdered at 
the altar. 23 The roofs of the temple rent, 
the body miraculously conveyed, and the 
blood petrified. 25 Israel mourns for him. 
27 Simeon chosen his successor by lot. 

THEN Herod, 2 perceiving 
that he was mocked by 
the wise men, and being very 
angry, commanded certain men 
to go and to kill all the children 
that were in Bethlehem, from 
two years old and under. 

2 But Mary, hearing that the 
children were to be killed, being 

2 Matt. ii. 16 



Zacharias 



PROTEVANGELION. 



murdered. 



under much fear, took the child, 
and wrapped him up in swad- 
dling clothes, and laid him in an 
ox-manger, 1 because there was 
no room for them in the inn. 

3 Elizabeth also, hearing that 
her son John was about to be 
searched for, took him and went 
up unto the mountains, and 
looked around for a place to 
hide him ; 

4 And there was no secret 
place to be found. 

5 Then she groaned within 
herself, and said, O mountain of 
the Lord, receive the mother 
with the child. 

6 For Elizabeth could not 
climb up. 

7 And instantly the mountain 
was divided and received them, 

8 And there appeared to 
them an angel of the Lord to 
preserve them. 

9 !j But Herod made search 
after John, and sent servants to 
Zacharias, when he was (minis- 
tering) at the altar, and said unto 
him, Where hast thou hid thy 
son? 

10 He replied to them, I am a 
minister of God, and a servant 
at the altar : how should I know 
where my son is 1 

11 So the servants went back, 
and told Herod the whole ; at 
which he was incensed, and 
said, Is not this son of his like 
to be king in Israel ? 

12 He sent therefore again 
his servants to Zacharias, say- 
ing, Tell us the truth, where is 
thy son, for you know that your 
life is in my hand. 

1 Luke, ii. 7. is alluded to, though 
misapplied as to time. 



13 So the servants went and 
told him all this ; 

14 But Zacharias replied to 
them, I am a martyr for God, 
and if ye shed my blood, the 
Lord will receive my soul. 

15 Besides, know that ye 
shed innocent blood. 

16 However, Zacharias was 
murdered in the entrance of the 
temple and altar, and about the 
partition ; 

17 But the children of Israel 
knew not when he was killed. 

18 fl Then at the hour of sal- 
utation the priests went into the 
temple, but Zacharias did not 
according to custom meet them 
and bless them ; 

19 Yet they still continued 
waiting for him to salute them ; 

20 And when they found he 
did not in a long time come, one 
of them ventured into the holy 
place where the altar was, and 
he saw blood lying upon the 
ground congealed ; 

21 When, behold, a voice 
from heaven said, Zacharias is 
murdered, and his blood shall 
not be wiped away, until the 
revenger of his blood come. 

22 But when he heard this, 
he was afraid, and went forth, 
and told the priests what he had 
seen and heard; and they all 
went in, and saw the fact. 

23 Then the roofs of the 
temple howled, and were rent 
from the top to the bottom : 

24 And they could not find 
the body, but only blood made 
hard like stone. 

25 And they went away, and 
told the people, that Zacharias 
was murdered, and all the tribes 

21 



Simeon succeeds 



PROTEVANGELION. 



Zacharias. 



of Israel heard thereof, and 
mourned for him, and lamented 
three days. 1 

26 Then the priests took coun- 
sel together concerning a person 
to succeed him. 

27 And Simeon and the other 
priests cast lots, and the lot fell 
upon Simeon. 

28 For he had been assured 
by the Holy Spirit, that he should 
not die, till he had seen Christ 
come in the flesh. 2 

1 There is a story both in the Jerusa- 
lem and Babylonish Talmud very similar 
to this. It is cited by Dr. Lightfoot ; 
Talmud. Hierosol. in Taanith, fol. 69 ; 
and Talmud. Babijl. in Sanhedr., fol. 96. 
" Rabbi Jochanan said, Eighty thousand 
priests were slain for the blood of Zacha- 
rias. Rabbi Judas asked Rabbi Achan ; 
Where did they kill Zacharias. Was it 
in the women's court, or in the court of 
Israel ? He answered, Neither in the 
court of Israel, nor in the court of women, 
but in the court of the priests ; and they 
did not treat his blood in the same man- 
ner as they were wont to treat the blood 
of a ram or young - goat. For of these 
it is written, He shall pour out his blood, 
and cover it with dust. But it is written 
here, The blood is in the midst of her j 
she set it upon the top of a rock; she 
poured it not upon the ground. (Ezek. 
xxiv. 7.) But why was this? That it 
might cause fury to come up to take ven- 
geance : I have set his blood upon the 
top of a rock, that it should not be cov- 
ered. They committed seven evils that 
day : they murdered a priest, a prophet, 
and a king : they shed the blood of the 
innocent: they polluted the court: that 
day was the Sabbath, and the day of ex- 
piation. When therefore Nebuzaradan 
came there, (viz. to Jerusalem,) he saw 
his blood bubbling, and said to them. 

22 



fl i" James wrote this History in 
Jerusalem ; and when the dis- 
turbance was, I retired, into a 
desert place, until the death of 
Herod. And the disturbance 
ceased at Jerusalem. That 
which remains is, that I glo- 
rify God that he hath given 
me such wisdom to write unto 
you loho are spiritual, and who 
love God; to whom (be ascrib- 
ed) glory and dominion for 
ever and ever, Amen. 

What meaneth this ? They answered, It> 
is the blood of calves, lambs, and rams, 
which we have offered upon the altar. He 
commanded, then, that they should bring 
calves, and lambs, and rams, and said, 
I will try whethei this be their blood ; ac- 
cordingly they brought and slew them, 
but the blood"(of Zacharias) still bubbled, 
but the blood of these did not bubble. 
Then he said, Declare to me the truth of 
this matter, or else I will comb your flesh 
with iron combs. Then said they to him, 
He was a priest, prophet, and judge, who 
prophesied to Israel all these calamities 
which we have suffered from you; but 
we arose against him, and slew him. 
Then said he, I will appease him ; then 
he took the rabbins, and slew them upon his 
(viz. Zachariah's) blood, and he was not 
yet appeased. Next he took the young 
boys from the schools, and slew them up- 
on his blood, and yet it bubbled. Then 
he brought the young priests, and slew 
them in the same place, and yet it still 
bubbled. So he slew at length ninety- 
four thousand persons upon his blood, and 
it did not as yet cease bubbling. Then 
he drew near to it, and said, O Zacha- 
rias, Zacharias, thou hast occasioned the 
death of the chief of thy countrymen ; shall 
I slay them all ? Then the blbod ceased, 
and did bubble no more." 
2 Luke, ii. 26. 



The First Gospel of the INFANCY of JESUS CHRIST. 



[Mr. Henry Sike, Professor of Oriental Languages at Cambridge, first translated and pub- 
lished this Gospel in 1697. It was received by the Gnostics, a sect of Christians in the second 
century ; and several of its relations were credited in the following ages by other Christians, 
viz. Eusebius, Athanasius, Epiphanius, Chrysostom, &c. Sozomen says, he was told by 
many, and he credits the relations, of the idols in Egypt falling down on Joseph and Mary's 
flight thither with Christ-, and of Christ making a well to wash his clothes in a sycamore 
tree, from whence balsam afterwards proceeded. These stories are from this Gospel. Chem- 
nitius, out of Stipulensis, who had it from Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria, in the third 
century, says, that the place in Egypt where Christ was banished, is now called Matarea, 
about ten miles beyond Cairo ; that the inhabitants constantly burn a lamp in remembrance 
of it ; and that there is a garden of trees yielding a balsam, which were planted by Christ 
when a boy. M. La Crose cites a synod at Angamala, in the mountains of Malabar, A. D. 
1599, which condemns this Gospel as commonly read by the Nestorians in that country. 
Ahmed Ibn Idris, a Mahometan divine, says, it was used by some Christians in common with 
the other four Gospels ; and Ocobius de Castro mentions a Gospel of Thomas, which he 
says he saw and had translated to him by an Armenian Archbishop at Amsterdam, that was 
read in very many churches of Asia and Africa as the only rule of their faith. Fabricius 
takes it to be this Gospel. It has been supposed that Mahomet and his coadjutors used it 
in compiling the Koran. There are several stories believed of Christ, proceeding from this 
Gospel ; as that which Mr. Sike relates out of La Brosse's Persic Lexicon, that Christ prac- 
tised the trade of a dyer, and his working a miracle with the colours ; from whence the Per- 
sian dyers honour him as their patron, and call a dye-house the shop of Christ. Sir John 
Chardin mentions Persian legends concerning Christ's dispute with his schoolmaster about 
his A B C 5 and his lengthening the cedar board which Joseph sawed too short.] 



CHAP. I. 

1 Caiphas relates, that Jesus, when in his 
cradle, informed his mother, that he was the 
Son of God. 5 Joseph and Mary going to 
Bethlehem to be taxed, Mary's time of 
bringing forth arrives, and she goes into a 
cave. 8 Joseph fetches in a Hebrew woman. 
10 The cave filled with great lights, 11 the 
infant born, 17 cures the woman, 19 arrival 
of the shepherds. 

THE following accounts we 
found in the book of Joseph 
the high-priest, called by some 
Caiphas. 

2 He relates, that Jesus spake 
even when he was in his cradle, 
and said to his mother : 

3 Mary, I am Jesus, the Son 
of God, that word, which thou 
didst bring forth according to 
the declaration of the angel Ga- 
briel to thee, and my Father 
hath sent me for the salvation of 
the world. 

4 ^j In the three hundred 
and ninth year of the era of Al- 
exander, Augustus published a 
decree that all persons should go 
to be taxed in their own country. 



5 Joseph therefore arose, and 
with Mary his spouse, he went 
to Jerusalem, and then came to 
Bethlehem, that he and his fam- 
ily might be taxed in the city of 
his fathers. 

6 And when they came by the 
cave, Mary confessed to Joseph, 
that her time of bringing forth 
was come, and she could not go 
on to the city, and said, Let us 
go into this cave. 

7 At that time the sun was 
very near going down. 

8 But Joseph hastened away 
that he might fetch her a mid- 
wife ; and when he saw an old 
Hebrew worn an, who was of Jeru- 
salem, he said to her, Pray come 
hither, good woman, and go into 
that cave, and you will there see a 
woman just ready to bring forth. 

9 It was after sunset when 
the old woman, and Joseph with 
her, reached the cave ; and they 
both went into it. 

10 And behold, it was all 

23 



Christ born 



I. INFANCY. 



and circumcised. 



filled with lights, greater than 
the light of lamps and candles, 
and greater than the light of the 
sun itself. 

11 The infant was then wrap- 
ped up in swaddling clothes, and 
sucking the breasts of his mother, 
St. Mary. 

12 When they both saw this 
light, they were surprised; the 
old woman asked St. Mary, Art 
thou the mother of this child ? 

13 St. Mary replied, She was. 

14 On which the old woman 
said, Thou art very different from 
all other women. 

15 St. Mary answered, As 
there is not any child like to my 
son, so neither is there any wo- 
man like to his mother. 

16 The old woman answered, 
and said, O my Lady, I am come 
hither, that I may obtain an ev- 
erlasting reward. 

17 Then our Lady St. Mary 
said to her, Lay thine hands up- 
on the infant ; which, when she 
had done, she became whole. 

18 And as she was going forth, 
she said, From henceforth, all the 
days of my life, I will attend upon 
and be a servant of this infant. 

19 After this, when the shep- 
herds came, and had made a fire, 
and they were exceedingly re- 
joicing, the heavenly host ap- 
peared to them, praising and 
adoring the supreme God. 

20 And as the shepherds were 
engaged in the same employ- 
ment, the cave at that time seem- 
ed like a glorious temple, be- 
cause both the tongues of angels 
and men united to adore and 
magnify God, on account of the 
birth of the Lord Christ. 

24 



A 



21 But when the old Hebrew 
woman saw all these evident 
miracles, she gave praises to God, 
and said, I thank thee, O God, 
thou God of Israel, for that mine 
eyes have seen the birth of the 
Saviour of the world. 

CHAP. II. 

1 The child circumcised in the cave, 2 and the 
old woman preserving his foreskin or navel- 
string in a^box of spikenard, Mary after- 
wards anoints Christ with it. 5 Christ 
brought to the temple ; 6 shines, 7 angels 
stand around him adoring. 8 Simeon praises 
Christ. 

ND when the time of his 
circumcision was come, 
namely, the eighth day, on which 
the law commanded the child to 
be circumcised, they circum- 
cised him in the cave. 

2 And the old Hebrew wo- 
man took the foreskin, (others 
say she took the navel-string,) 
and preserved it in an alabaster- 
box of old oil of spikenard. 

3 And she had a son who was 
a druggist, to whom she said, 
Take heed thou sell not this ala- 
baster-box of spikenard ointment, 
although thou shouldest be offer- 
ed three hundred pence for it. 

4 Now this is that alabaster- 
box which Mary the sinner pro- 
cured, and poured forth the oint- 
ment out of it upon the head and 
the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and wiped them off with the 
hairs of her head. 

5 Then after ten days they 
brought him to Jerusalem^ and 
on the fortieth day from his birth 
they presented him in the temple 
before the Lord, making the 
proper offerings for him accord- 
ing to the requirement of the law 
of Moses; namely, that every 



The wise men 



I. INFANCY. 



visit Christ. 



male which opens the womb 
shall be called holy unto God. 

6 At that time old Simeon saw 
him shining as a pillar of light, 
when St. Mary the Virgin, his 
mother, carried him in her arms, 
and was filled with the greatest 
pleasure at the sight. 

7 And the angels stood around 
him, adoring him, as a king's 
guards stand around him. 

8 Then Simeon, going near to 
St. Mary, and stretching forth 
his hands towards her, said to 
the Lord Christ, Now, O my 
Lord, thy servant shall depart 
in peace, according to thy 
word ; 

9 For mine eyes have seen 
thy mercy, which thou hast pre- 
pared for the salvation of all 
nations; a light to all people, 
and the glory of thy people Is- 
rael. 

10 Hannah the Prophetess 
was also present, and drawing 
near, she gave praises to God, 
and celebrated the happiness of 
Mary. 

CHAP. III. 

1 The wise men visit Christ. Mary gives 
them one of his swaddling clothes. 3 An 
angel appears to them in the form of a star. 
4 They return and make a fire, and worship 
the swaddling cloth, and put it in thefira, 
where it remains unconsumed. 

AND it came to pass, when 
the Lord Jesus was born 
at Bethlehem, a city of Judaea, 
in the time of Herod the king ; 
the wise men came from the East 
to Jerusalem, according to the 
prophecy of Zoradascht, 1 and 
brought with them offerings : 

1 Zoroaster. 

3 



namely, gold, frankincense, and 
myrrh, and worshipped him, and 
offered to him their gifts. € 

2 Then the Lady Mary took 
one of his swaddling clothes in 
which the infant was wrapped, 
and gave it to them instead of 
a blessing, which they received 
from her as a most noble present. 

3 And at the same time there 
appeared to them an angel in the 
form of that star which had be- 
fore been their guide in their 
journey ; the light of which they 
followed till they returned into 
their own country. 

4 fl On their return their kings 
and princes came to them, in- 
quiring, What they had seen and 
done ? What sort of journey and 
return they had? What com- 
pany they had on the road ? 

5 Bat they produced the swad- 
dling cloth which St. Mary had 
given to them, on account where- 
of they kept a feast. 

6 And having, according to 
the custom of their country, made 
a fire, they worshipped it. 

7 And casting the swaddling 
cloth into it, the fire took it, and 
kept it. 

8 And when the fire was put 
out, they took forth the swad- 
dling cloth unhurt, as much as 
if the fire had not touched it. 

9 Then they began to kiss it, 
and put it upon their heads and 
their eyes, saying, This is cer- 
tainly an undoubted truth, and 
it is really surprising that the 
fire could not burn it, and con- 
sume it. 

10 Then they took it, and 
with the greatest respect laid it 
up among their treasures. 

25 



An idol 



I. INFANCY. 



falls down 



CHAP. IV. 



1 Herod intends to put Christ to death. 3 An 
angel warns Joseph to take the child and his 
ftother into Egypt. 6 Consternation on 
their arrival. 13 The idols fall down. 15 
Mary washes Christ's swaddling clothes, 
and hangs them to dry on a post. 16 A son 
of the chief priest puts one on his head, and 
being possessed of devils, they leave him. 

HOW Herod, perceiving that 
the wise men did delay, 
and not return to him, called to- 
gether the priest and wise men, 
and said, Tell me in what place 
the Christ should be born ? 

2 And when they replied, In 
Bethlehem, a city of Judaea, he 
began to contrive in his own 
mind the death of the Lord Je- 
sus Christ. 

3 But an angel of the Lord 
appeared to Joseph in his sleep, 
and said, Arise, take the child 
and his mother, and go into 
Egypt as soon as the cock crows. 
So he arose, and went. 

4 ft And as he was consider- 
ing with himself about his jour- 
ney, the morning came upon him. 

5 In the length of the journey 
the girts of the saddle broke. 

6 And now he drew near to 
a great city, in which there was 
an idol, to which the other idols 
and gods of Egypt brought their 
offerings and vows. 

7 And there was by this idol 
a priest ministering to it, who, 
as often as Satan spake out of 
that idol, related the things he 
said to the inhabitants of Egypt, 
and those countries. 

8 This priest had a son three 
years old, who was possessed 
with a great multitude of dev- 
ils, who uttered many strange 
things ; and when the devils seiz- 
ed him, walked about naked, 

26 



with his clothes torn, throwing 
stones at those whom he saw. 

9 Near to that idol was the 
inn of the city, into which when 
Joseph and St. Mary were come, 
and had turned into that inn, all 
the inhabitants of the city were 
astonished. 

10 And all the magistrates 
and priests of the idols assem- 
bled before that idol, and made 
inquiry there, saying, What 
means all this consternation and 
dread, which has fallen upon all 
our country ? 

11 The idol answered them, 
The unknown God is come 
hither, who is truly God ; nor is 
there any one besides him, who 
is worthy of divine worship ; for 
he is truly the Son of God. 

12 At the fame of him this 
country trembled, and at his 
coming it is under the present 
commotion and consternation, 
and we ourselves are affrighted 
by the greatness of his power. 

13 And at the same instant 
this idol fell down, and at his fall 
all the inhabitants of Egypt, be- 
sides others, ran together. 

14 ft But the son of the priest, 
when his usual disorder came 
upon him, going into the inn, 
found there Joseph and St. Mary, 
whom all the rest had left be- 
hind and forsook. 

15 And when the Lady St. 
Mary had washed the swaddling 
clothes of the Lord Christ, and 
hanged them out to dry ifpon a 
post, the boy possessed with the 
devil took down one of them, 
and put it upon his head. 

16 And presently the devils 
began to come out of his mouth, 



Joseph and Mary 



I. INFANCY. 



leave Egypt. 



and fly away in the shapes of 
crows and serpents. 

17 From that time the boy 
was healed by the power of the 
Lord Christ, and he began to 
sing praises, and give thanks to 
the Lord who had healed him. 

18 When his father saw him 
restored to his former state of 
health, he said, My son, what 
has happened to thee, and by 
what means wert thou cured? 

19 The son answered, When 
the devils seized me, I went into 
the inn, and there found a very 
handsome woman with a boy, 
whose swaddling clothes she had 
just before washed, and hanged 
out upon a post. 

20 One of these I took, and 
put it upon my head, and imme- 
diately the devils left me, and 
fled away. 

21 At this the father exceed- 
ingly rejoiced, and said, My son, 
perhaps this boy is the Son of 
the living God, who made the 
heavens and the earth. 

22 For as soon as he came 
amongst us, the idol was broken, 
and all the gods fell down, and 
were destroyed by a greater 
power. 

23 Then was fulfilled the 
prophecy which saith, Out of 
Egypt I have called my son. 

CHAP. V. 

Joseph and Mary leave Egypt. 3 Go to the 
haunls of robbers, 4 who, hearing a mighty 
noise, as of a great army, flee away. 

NOW Joseph and Mary, 
when they heard that the 
idol was fallen down and de- 
stroyed, were seized with fear 
and trembling, and said, When 



we were in the land of Israel, 
Herod, intending to kill Jesus, 
slew for that purpose all the in- 
fants at Bethlehem, and that 
neighbourhood. 

2 And there is no doubt but 
the Egyptians, if they come to 
hear that this idol is broken and 
fallen down,will burn us with fire. 

3 They went therefore hence 
to the secret places of robbers, 
who robbed travellers, as they 
pass by, of their carriages and 
their clothes, and carried them 
away bound. 

4 These thieves, upon their 
coming, heard a great noise, such 
as the noise of a king with a 
great army, and many horse, and 
the trumpets sounding, at his de- 
parture from his own city ; at 
which they were so affrighted, as 
to leave all their booty behind 
them, and fly away in haste. 

5 Upon this, the prisoners 
arose, and loosed each other's 
bonds, and taking each man his 
bags, they went away, and saw 
Joseph and Mary coming towards 
them, and inquired, Where is 
that king, the noise of whose ap- 
proach the robbers heard, and 
have left us, so that we are now 
come off safe 1 

6 Joseph answered, He will 
come after us. 

CHAP. VI. 

1 Mary looks on a woman in whom Satan had 
taken up his abode, and she becomes dis- 
possessed. 5 Ciirist kissed by a bride made 
dumb by sorcerers, cures her, 11 miracu- 
lously cures a gentlewoman in whom Satan 
had taken up his abode. 16 A leprous girl 
cured by the water in which he was washed, 
and becomes the servant of Joseph and Ma- 
ry. 20 The leprous son of a prince's wife 
cured in like manner. 37 His mother offers 
large gifts to Mary, and dismisses her with 
respect. 

27 



Mary cures 



I. INFANCY. 



a woman. 



THEN they went into anoth- 
er city, where was a woman 
possessed with a devil, and in 
whom Satan, that cursed rebel, 
had taken up his abode. 

2 One night, when she went 
to fetch water, she could neither 
endure her clothes on, nor to be 
in any house; but as often as 
they tied her with chains or 
cords, she brake them, and went 
out into desert places, and some- 
times standing where roads cross- 
ed, and in church-yards, would 
throw stones at men. 

3 When St. Mary saw this 
woman, she pitied her ; where- 
upon Satan presently left her, 
and fled away in the form of a 
young man, saying, Wo to me, 
because of thee, Mary, and thy 
son. 

4 So the woman was deliv- 
ered from her torment ; but con- 
sidering, and perceiving herself 
naked, she blushed, and avoided 
seeing any man, and having put 
on her clothes, went home, and 
gave an account of her case to 
her father and relations, who, as 
they were the best of the city, 
entertained St. Mary and Joseph 
with the greatest respect. 

5 The next morning, having 
received a sufficient supply of 
provisions for the road, they went 
from them, and about the even- 
ing of the day arrived at an- 
other town, where a marriage 
was then about to be solemnized ; 
but by the arts of Satan, and the 
practices of some sorcerers, the 
bride was become so dumb, that 
she could not so much as open 
her mouth. 

6 But when this dumb bride 
28 



saw the lady St. Mary entering 
into the town, and carrying the 
Lord Christ in her arms, she 
stretched out her hands to the 
Lord Christ, and took him in her 
arms, and closely hugging him, 
very often kissed him, continu- 
ally moving him, and pressing 
him to her body. 

7 Straightway the string of 
her tongue was loosed, and her 
ears were opened, and she began 
to sing praises unto God, who 
had restored her. 

8 So there was great joy 
among the inhabitants of the 
town that night, who thought 
that God and his angels were 
come down among them. 

9 fl In this place they abode 
three days, meeting with the 
greatest respect, and most splen- 
did entertainment; 

10 And being then furnished 
by the people with provisions for 
the road, they departed, and went 
to another city, in which they 
were inclined to lodge, because 
it was a famous place. 

11 There was in this city a 
gentlewoman, who as she went 
down one day to the river to 
bathe,behold cursed Satan leaped 
upon her in the form of a serpent, 

12 And folded himself about 
her belly, and every night lay 
upon her. 

13 This woman, seeing the 
Lady St. Mary, and the Lord 
Christ the infant in her bosom, 
asked the Lady St. Mary, that 
she would give her the child to 
kiss, and carry in her arms. 

14 When she had consented, 
and as soon as the woman had 
moved the child, Satan left her, 



Christ cures two 



I. INFANCY. 



leprous persons. 



and fled away, nor did the wo- 
man ever afterwards see him. 

15 Hereupon all the neigh- 
bours praised the Supreme God, 
and the woman rewarded them 
with ample beneficence. 

16 On the morrow the same 
woman brought perfumed water 
to wash the Lord Jesus, and 
when she had washed him, she 
preserved the water. 

17 And there was a girl there, 
whose body was white with a 
leprosy, who, being sprinkled 
with this water, and washed, 
was instantly cleansed from her 
leprosy/ 

18 The people therefore said, 
Without doubt Joseph and Mary, 
and that boy, are Gods, for they 
do not look like mortals. 

19 And when they were mak- 
ing ready to go away, the girl, 
who had been troubled with 
the leprosy, came and desired 
they would permit her to go 
along with them : so they con- 
sented, and the girl went with 
them till they came to a city, 
in which was the palace of a 
great king, and whose house 
was not far from the inn. 

20 Here they staid, and when 
the girl went one day to the 
prince's wife, and found her in 
a sorrowful and mournful condi- 
tion, she asked her the reason of 
her tears. 

21 She replied, Wonder not 
at my groans, for I am under a 
great misfortune, of which I 
dare not tell any one. 

22 But, says the girl, if you 
will entrust me with your private 
grievance, perhaps I may find 
you a remedy for it. 



23 Thou therefore, says the 
prince's wife, shalt keep the 
secret, and not discover it to any 
one alive ! 

24 I have been married to this 
prince, who rules as king over 
large dominions, and lived long 
with him, before he had any 
child by me. 

25 At length I conceived by 
him, but alas ! I brought forth 
a leprous son ; which, when he 
saw, he would not own to be his, 
but said to me, 

26 Either do thou kill him, 
or send him to some nurse in 
such a place, that he may be nev- 
er heard of; and now take care 
of yourself; I will never see you 
more. 

27 So here I pine, lamenting 
my wretched and miserable 
circumstances. Alas, my son ! 
alas, my husband ! Have I dis- 
closed it to you ? 

28 The girl replied, I have 
found a remedy for your disease, 
which I promise you, for I also 
was leprous, but God hath 
cleansed me, even he who is 
called Jesus, the son of the La- 
dy Mary. 

29 The woman inquiring 
where that God was, whom she 
spake of, the girl answered, He 
lodges with you here in the same 
house. 

30 But how can this be 1 says 
she : where is he ? Behold, re- 
plied the girl, Joseph and Mary ; 
and the infant who is with them 
is called Jesus ; and it is he who 
delivered me from my disease 
and torment. 

31 But by what means, says 
she, were you cleansed from 

29 



Christ cures a 



I. INFANCY. 



married man. 



your leprosy? will not you tell 
me that ? 

32 Why not 1 says the girl : 
I took the water with which his 
body had been washed, and 
poured it upon me, and my lep- 
rosy vanished. 

33 The prince's wife then 
arose, and entertained them, 
providing a great feast for Jo- 
seph among a large company of 
men; 

34 And the next day took 
perfumed water to wash the Lord 
Jesus, and afterwards poured the 
same water upon her son, whom 
she had brought with her, and 
her son was instantly cleansed 
from his leprosy. 

35 Then she sang thanks 
and praises unto God, and said, 
Blessed is the mother that bare 
thee, O Jesus ! 

36 Dost thou thus cure men 
of the same nature with thyself, 
with the water with which thy 
body is washed ? 

37 She then offered very large 
gifts to the Lady Mary, and sent 
her away with all imaginable 
respect. 

CHAP. VII. 

1 A man who could not enjoy his wife, freed 
from his disorder. 5 A young man who 
had been bewitched, and turned into a mule, 
miraculously cured by Christ being put on 
his back, 28 and is married to the girl who 
had been cured of leprosy. 

THEY came afterwards to 
another city, and had a 
mind to lodge there. 

2 Accordingly they went to a 
man's house, who was newly 
married, but by the influence of 
sorcerers could not enjoy his 
wife : 

3 But they lodging at his 

30 



house that night, the man was 
freed of his disorder ; 

4 And when they were pre- 
paring early in the morning to 
go forward on their journey, the 
new-married person hindered 
them, and provided a noble enter- 
tainment for them. 

5 But going forward on the 
morrow, they came to another 
city, and saw three women going 
from a certain grave with great 
weeping. 

6 When St. Mary saw them, 
she spake to the girl who was 
their companion, saying, Go and 
inquire of them what is the mat- 
ter with them, and what misfor- 
tune has befallen them. 

7 When the girl asked them, 
they made her no answer, but 
asked her again, Who are ye, 
and where are ye going? For 
the day is far spent, and night 
is at hand. 

8 We are travellers, saith the 
girl, and are seeking for an inn 
to lodge at 

9 They replied, Go along 
with us, and lodge with us. 

10 They then followed them, 
and were introduced into a new 
house, well furnished with all 
sorts of furniture. 

11 It was now winter-time, 
and the girl went into the ■ par- 
lour where these women were, 
and found them weeping and 
lamenting, as before. 

12 By them stood a mule, 
covered over with silk, and an 
ebony collar hanging down from 
his neck, whom they kissed, and 
were feeding. 

13 But when the girl said, 
How handsome, ladies, that 



The bewitched 



I. INFANCY. 



young man . 



mule is ! they replied with tears, 
and said, This mule, which you 
see, was our brother, born of the 
same mother as we ; 

14 For when our father died, 
and left us a very large estate, 
and we had only this brother, 
and we endeavoured to procure 
him a suitable match, and 
thought he should be mar- 
ried as other men, some giddy 
and jealous women bewitched 
him without our knowledge ; 

15 And we, one night, a lit- 
tle before day, while the doors 
of the house were all fast shut, 
saw this our brother was chang- 
ed into a mule, such as you now 
see him to be : 

16 And we, in the melancholy 
condition in which you see us, 
having no father to comfort us, 
have applied to all the wise men, 
magicians, and diviners in the 
world, but they have been of no 
service to us. 

17 As often therefore as we 
find ourselves oppressed with 
grief, we rise and go with this 
our mother to our father's tomb, 
where when we have cried suffi- 
ciently, we return home. 

18 When the girl had heard 
this, she said, Take courage, 
and cease your fears, for you 
have a remedy for your afflic- 
tions near at hand, even among 
you, and in the midst of your 
house. 

19 For I was also leprous; 
but when I saw this woman, and 
this little infant with her, whose 
name is Jesus, I sprinkled my 
body with the water with which 
his mother had washed him, and 
I was presently made well. 



20 And I am certain that he 
is also capable of relieving you 
under your distress. Where- 
fore arise, go to my mistress Ma- 
ry, and when you have brought 
her into your own parlour, dis- 
close to her the secret, at the 
same time earnestly beseeching 
her to compassionate your case. 

21 As soon as the women had 
heard the girl's discourse, they 
hastened away to the Lady St. 
Mary, introduced themselves to 
her, and sitting down before her, 
they wept, 

22 And said, O our Lady St. 
Mary, pity your handmaids, for 
we have no head of our family, 
no one elder than us ; no father 
or brother to go in and out be- 
fore us ; 

23 But this mule, which you 
see, was our brother, which 
some women by witchcraft have 
brought into this condition 
which you see ; we therefore en- 
treat you to compassionate us. 

24 Hereupon St. Mary was 
grieved at their case, and taking 
the Lord Jesus, put him upon 
the back of the mule, 

25 And said to her son, O 
Jesus Christ, restore (or heal) 
according to thy extraordinary 
power this mule, and grant him 
to have again the shape of a 
man and a rational creature, as 
he had formerly. 

26 This was scarce said by 
the Lady St. Mary, but the mule 
immediately passed into a hu- 
man form, and became a young 
man without any deformity. 

27 Then he and his mother 
and the sisters worshipped the 
Lady St. Mary, and lifting the 

31 



The young 



I. INFANCY. 



man married. 



child upon their heads, they kiss- 
ed him, and said, Blessed is thy 
mother, O Jesus, O Saviour of 
the world ! Blessed are the eyes 
which are so happy as to see 
thee. 

28 Then both the sisters told 
their mother, saying, Of a truth 
our brother is restored to his 
former shape by the help of the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and the kind- 
ness of that girl, who told us of 
Mary and her son. 

29 And inasmuch as our 
brother is unmarried, it is fit 
that we marry him to this girl 
their servant. 

30 When they had consulted 
St. Mary in this matter, and she 
had given her consent, they 
made a splendid wedding for 
this girl, 

31 And so their sorrow be- 
ing turned into gladness, and 
their mourning into mirth, they 
began to rejoice, and make mer- 
ry, and sing, being dressed in 
their richest attire, with bracelets. 

32 Afterwards they glorified 
and praised God, saying, O Je- 
sus, son of David, who changest 
sorrow into gladness, and mourn- 
ing into mirth. 

33 After this Joseph and Ma- 
ry tarried there ten days, then 
went away, having received 
great respect from those people ; 

34 Who, when they took their 
leave of them, and returned home, 
cried, 

35 But especially the girl. 

CHAP. VIII. 

1 Joseph and Mary pass through a country 
infested by robbers. 3 Titus, a humane 
thief, offers Dumachus, his comrade, forty 
groats, to let Joseph and Mary pass unmolest- 
ed. 6 Jesus prophesies that the thieves Du- 

32 



machus and Titus shall be crucified with 
him, and that Titus shall go before him 
into Paradise. 10 Christ causes a well to 
spring from a sycamore tree, and Mary 
washes his coat in it. 11 A balsam grows 
there from his sweat. They go to Mem- 
phis, where Christ works more miracles. 
14 Return to Judaea. 15 Being warned, de- 
part for Nazareth. 

IN their journey from hence 
they came into a desert 
country, and were told it was 
infested with robbers ; so Joseph 
and St. Mary prepared to pass 
through it in the night : 

2 And as they were going 
along, behold they saw two rob- 
bers asleep in the road, and with 
them a great number of robbers, 
who were their confederates, 
also asleep. 

3 The names of those two 
were Titus and Dumachus ; and 
Titus said to Dumachus, I be- 
seech thee let those persons go 
along quietly, that our company 
may not perceive any thing of 
them ; 

4 But Dumachus refusing, 
Titus again said, I will give thee 
forty groats, and as a pledge 
take my girdle, which he gave 
him before he had done speak- 
ing, that he might not Gpen his 
mouth, or make a noise. 

5 When the Lady St. Mary 
saw the kindness which this rob- 
ber did show them, she said to 
him, The Lord God will receive 
thee to his right hand, and 
grant thee the pardon of thy sins. 

6 Then the Lord Jesus an- 
swered, and said to his mother, 
When thirty years are expired, 
O mother, the Jews will crucify 
me at Jerusalem ; 

7 And these two thieves shall 
be with me at the same time 
upon the cross, Titus on my 



Mary washes 



I. INFANCY. 



Christ's coat. 



right hand, and Dumachus on 
my left, and from that time Titus 
shall go before me into Para- 
dise ; 

8 And when she had said, God 
forbid this should be thy lot,0 my 
son, they went on to a city in 
which were several idols, which, 
as soon as they came near to it, 
was turned into hills of sand. 

9 fl Hence they went to that 
sycamore tree, which is now 
called Matarea ; 

10 And in Matarea the Lord Je- 
sus caused awell to spring forth, in 
which St. Mary washed his coat. 

11 And a balsam is produced, 
or grows, in that country, from 
the sweat which ran down there 
from the Lord Jesus. 

12 Thence they proceeded to 
Memphis, and saw Pharaoh, and 
abode three years in Egypt. 

13 And the Lord Jesus did 
very many miracles in Egypt, 
which are neither to be found in 
the Gospel of the Infancy, nor 
in the Gospel of Perfection. 

14 ff At the end of three 
years he returned out of Egypt, 
and when he came near to Ju- 
daea, Joseph was afraid to enter ; 

15 For hearing that Herod 
was dead, and that Archelaus 
his son reigned in his stead, he 
was afraid ; 

16 And when he went to Ju- 
daea, an angel of God appeared to 
him, and said, O Joseph, go into 
the city Nazareth, and abide 
there. 

17 It is strange, indeed, that 
he, who is the Lord of all coun- 
tries, should be thus carried 
backward and forward through 
so many countries. 



CHAP. IX. 



2 Two sick children cured by water wherein 
Christ was washed. 

WHEN they came after- 
wards into the city Beth- 
lehem, they found there several 
very desperate distempers, which 
became so troublesome to chil- 
dren by seeing them, that most 
of them died. 

2 There was there a woman 
who had a sick son, whom she 
brought, when he was at the 
point of death, to the Lady St, 
Mary, who saw her when she 
was washing Jesus Christ. 

3 Then said the woman, O 
my Lady Mary, look down upon 
this my son, who is afflicted with 
most dreadful pains. 

4 St. Mary, hearing her, said, 
Take a little of that water with 
which I have washed my son, 
and sprinkle it upon him. 

5 Then she took a little of that 
water, as St. Mary had com- 
manded, and sprinkled it upon 
her son, who, being wearied with 
his violent pains, was fallen 
asleep ; and after he had slept a 
little, awaked perfectly well and 
recovered. 

6 The mother, being abun- 
dantly glad of this success, went 
again to St. Mary, and St. Mary 
said to her, Give the praise to 
God,who hath cured this thy son. 

7 There was in the same 
place another woman, a neigh- 
bour of her whose son was now 
cured. 

8 This woman's son was af- 
flicted with the same disease, 
and his eyes were now almost 
quite shut, and she was lament- 
ing for him day and night, 

33 



The sick 



I. INFANCY. 



children healed. 



9 The mother of the child 
which was cured said to her, 
Why do you not bring your son 
to St. Mary, as I brought my 
son to her, when he was in the 
very agonies of death ; and he 
was cured by that water, with 
vhich the body of her son Jesus 
vas washed 1 

10 When the woman heard 
her say this, she also went, and 
having procured the same wa- 
ter, washed her son with it, 
whereupon his body and his 
eyes were instantly restored to 
their former state. 

11 And when she brought 
her son to St. Mary, and open- 
ed his case to her, she com- 
manded her to give thanks to 
God for the recovery of her son's 
health, and to tell no one what 
had happened. 

CHAP. X. 

I Two wives of one man each have a son 
sick. 2 One of them, named - Mary, and 
whose son's name was Caleb, presents the 
Virgin with a handsome carpet, and Caleb 
is cured •, but the son of the other wife dies, 
4 which occasions a difference between the 
women. 5 The other wife puts Caleb in- 
to a hot oven, and he is miraculously pre- 
served, 9 she afterwards throws him into a 
well, and he is again preserved ; 11 his 
mother appeals to the Virgin against the 
other wife, 12 whose downfall the Virgin 
prophesies, 13 and who accordingly falls in- 
to the well, 14 therein fulfilling a saying 
of old. 

THERE were in the same 
city two wives of one man, 
who had each a son sick. One 
of them was called Mary, and 
her son's name was Caleb. 

2 She arose, and taking her 
son, went to the Lady St. Mary, 
the mother of Jesus, and offer- 
ed her a very handsome carpet, 
saying, O my Lady Mary, ac- 
cept this carpet of me, and in- 
34 



stead of it give me a small 
swaddling cloth. 

3 To this Mary agreed ; 
and when the mother of Ca- 
leb was gone, she made a coat 
for her son of the swaddling 
cloth, put it on him, and his dis- 
ease was cured ; but the son of 
the other wife died. 

4 fl Hereupon there arose be- 
tween them a difference in doing 
the business of the family by 
turns, each her week ; 

5 And when the turn of Ma- 
ry the mother of Caleb came, 
and she was heating the oven to 
bake bread, and went away to 
fetch the meal, she left her son 
Caleb by the oven ; 

6 Whom the other wife, her 
rival, seeing to be by himself, 
took and cast him into the oven, 
which was very hot, and then 
went away. 

7 Mary on her return saw 
her son Caleb lying in the mid- 
dle of the oven laughing, and 
the oven quite as cold as though 
it had not been before heated, 
and knew that her rival, the oth- 
er wife, had thrown him into the 
fire. 

8 When she took him out, 
she brought him to the Lady St. 
Mary, and told her the story; 
to whom she replied, Be quiet, 
for I am concerned • lest thou 
shouldest make this matter 
known. 

9 After this her rival, the 
other wife, as she was drawing 
water at the well, and saw Ca- 
leb playing by the well, and that 
no one ,vas near, took him, and 
threw him into the well. 

10 And when some men 



Bartholomew 



I. INFANCY. 



cured. 



came to fetch water from the 
well, they saw the boy sitting 
on the superficies of the water, 
and drew him out with ropes, 
and were exceedingly surprised 
at the child, and praised God. 

11 Then came the mother, 
and took him and carried him 
to the Lady St. Mary, lamenting 
and saying, O my Lady, see 
what my rival hath done to my 
son, and how she hath cast him 
into the well, and I do not ques- 
tion but one time or other she 
will be the occasion of his 
death. 

12 St. Mary replied to her, 
God will vindicate your injured 
case. 

13 Accordingly a few days 
after, when the other wife came 
to the well to draw water, her 
foot was entangled in the rope, 
so that she fell headlong into 
the well, and they who ran to 
her assistance found her skull 
broken, and her bones bruised. 

14 So she came to a bad end, 
and in her was fulfilled that 
saying of the author, They 
digged a well, and made it 
deep, but fell themselves into 
the pit which they prepared. 

CHAP. XL 

1 Bartholomew, when a child and sick, mi- 
raculously restored by being laid on Christ's 
bed. 

\ NOTHER woman in that 
J_3l city had likewise two sons 
sick, 

2 And when one was dead, 
the other, who lay at the point 
of death, she took in her arms 
to the Lady St. Mary, and in a 
flood of tears addressed herself 
to her, saying, 



3 O my Lady, help and re- 
lieve me, for I had two sons; 
the one I have just now buried, 
the other I see is just at the 
point of death ; behold, how I 
(earnestly) seek favour from 
God, and pray to him. 

4 Then she said, O Lord, 
thou art gracious, and merciful, 
and kind ; thou hast given me 
two sons ; one of them thou hast 
taken to thyself, O spare me 
this other. 

5 St. Mary, then, perceiving 
the greatness of her sorrow, 
pitied her, and said, Do thou 
place thy son in my son's bed, 
and Gover him with his clothes. 

6 And when she had placed 
him in the bed wherein Christ 
lay, at the moment when his 
eyes were just closed by death, 
as soon as ever the smell of the 
garments of the Lord Jesus 
Christ reached the boy, his eyes 
were opened, and calling with a 
loud voice to his mother, he 
asked for bread; and when he 
had received it, he sucked it. 

7 Then his mother said, O 
Lady Mary, now I am assured 
that the powers of God do dwell 
in you, so that thy son can cure 
children who are of the same 
sort as himself, as soon as they 
touch his garments. 

8 This boy, who was thus 
cured, is the same who in the 
Gospel is called Bartholomew. 

CHAP. XII. 

1 A leprous woman healed by Christ's wash- 
ing water. 7 A princess healed by it, and 
restored to her husband. 

AGAIN, there was a leprous 
woman, who went to the 
Lady St. Mary, the mother of 
35 



The leprous 



I. INFANCY. 



princess cured. 



Jesus, and said, O my Lady, 
help me. 

2 St. Mary replied, What 
help dost thou desire 1 Is it gold 
or silver, or that thy body be 
cured of its leprosy 1 

3 Who, says the woman, can 
grant me this 1 

4 St. Mary replied to her, 
Wait a little till I have washed 
my son Jesus, and put him in bed. 

5 The woman waited, as she 
was commanded ; and Mary, 
when she had put Jesus in bed, 
giving her the water with which 
she had washed his body, said, 
Take some of the water, and 
pour it upon thy body ; 

6 Which when she had done, 
she instantly became clean, and 
praised God, and gave thanks 
to him. 

7 *fl Then went she away, 
after she had abode with her 
three days; 

8 And going into the city, 
she saw a certain prince, who 
had married another prince's 
daughter ; 

9 But when he came to see 
her, he perceived between her 
eyes the signs of the leprosy 
like a star, and thereupon de- 
clared the marriage dissolved 
and void. 

10 When the woman saw 
these persons in this condition, 
exceeding sorrowful, and shed- 
ding abundance of tears, she 
inquired of them the reason of 
their crying ; 

11 They replied, Inquire not 
into our circumstances ; for we 
are not able to declare our mis- 
fortunes to any person whatso- 
ever. 

36 



12 But she still pressed and 
desired them to communicate 
their case to her; intimating, 
that perhaps she might be able 
to direct them to a remedy. 

13 So when they showed the 
young woman to her, and the 
signs of the leprosy, which ap- 
peared between her eyes, 

14 She said, I also, whom ye 
see in this place, was afflicted 
with the same distemper, and 
going on some business to Beth- 
lehem, I went into a certain 
cave, and saw a woman named 
Mary, who had a son called 
Jesus, 

15 She, seeing me to be lep- 
rous, was concerned for me, 
and gave me some water with 
which she had washed her son's 
body ; with that I sprinkled my 
body, and became clean. 

16 Then said these women, 
Will you, mistress, go along 
with us, and show the Lady St. 
Mary to us P 

17 To which she consenting, 
they arose, and went to the La- 
dy St. Mary, taking with them 
very noble presents. 

18 And when they came in, 
and offered their presents to her, 
they showed the leprous young 
woman whom they brought with 
them to her. 

19 Then said St. Mary, The 
mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ 
rest upon you ; 

20 And giving them a little 
of that water, with which she 
had washed the body of Jesus 
Christ, she bade them wash the 
diseased person with it ; which 
when they had done, she was 
presently cured ; 



A girl, whose blood I, INFANCY. Satan sucked, cured. 



21 So they and all who were 
present, praised God ; and being 
filled with joy, they went back 
to their own city, and gave 
praises to God on that account. 

22 Then the prince, hearing 
that his wife was cared, took 
her home, and made a second 
marriage, giving thanks unto 
God for the recovery of his 
wife's health. 

CHAP. XIII. 

1 A girl, whose blood Satan sucked, receives 
one of Christ's swaddling cloths from the 
Virgin. 14 Satan comes like a dragon, and 
she shows it to him 5 flames and burning 
coals proceed from it, and fall upon him ; 
19 he is miraculously discomfited, and leaves 
the girl. 

THERE was also a girl, who 
was afflicted by Satan ; 

2 For that cursed spirit did 
frequently appear to her in the 
shape of a dragon, and was in- 
clined to swallow her up, and 
had so sucked out all her blood, 
that she looked like a dead car- 
cass. 

3 As often as she came to 
herself, with her hands wringed 
about her head, she would cry 
out, and say, Wo, wo is me, 
that there is no one to be found, 
who can deliver me from that 
impious dragon ! 

4 Her father and mother, and 
all who were about her and saw 
her, mourned and wept over her ; 

5 And all who were present 
would especially be under sor- 
row and in tears, when they 
heard her bewailing, and say- 
ing, My brethren and friends, is 
there no one who can deliver me 
from this murderer ? 

6 Then the prince's daugh- 
ter, who had been cured of her 

4 



leprosy, hearing the complaint 
of that girl, went upon the top 
of her castle, and saw her with 
her hands twisted about her 
head, pouring out a flood of 
tears, and all the people that 
were about her in sorrow. 

7 She then asked the hus- 
band of the possessed person, 
Whether his wife's mother was 
alive? He told her, That her 
father and mother were both 
alive. 

8 Then she ordered her 
mother to be sent to her ; to 
whom, when she saw her com- 
ing, she said, Is this possessed 
girl thy daughter 1 She moan- 
ing and bewailing said, Yes, 
madam, I bore her. 

9 The prince's daughter an- 
swered, Disclose the secret of 
her case to me, for I confess to 
you that I was leprous, but the 
Lady Mary, the mother of Je- 
sus Christ, healed me. 

10 And if you desire your 
daughter to be restored to her 
former state, take her to Bethle- 
hem, and inquire for Mary the 
mother of Jesus, and doubt not 
but your daughter will be cured ; 
for I do not question but you 
will come home with great joy 
at your daughter's recovery. 

11 As soon as ever she had 
done speaking, she arose and 
went with her daughter to the 
place appointed, and to Mary, 
and told her the case of her 
daughter. 

12 When St. Mary had heard 
her story, she gave her a little 
of the water with which she had 
washed the body of her son Je- 
sus, and bade her pour it ur> 

37 



Judas possessed I. INFANCY. 

on the body of her daugh- 
ter. 

13 Likewise she gave her one 
of the swaddling cloths of the 
Lord Jesus, and said, Take this 
swaddling cloth, and show it to 
thine enemy as often as thou 
seest him ; and she sent them 
away in peace. 

14 ff After they had left that 
city, and returned home, and 
the time was come in which Sa- 
tan was wont to seize her, in the 
same moment this cursed spirit 
appeared to her in the shape of 
a huge dragon, and the girl, see- 
ing him, was afraid. 

15 The mother said to her, 
Be not afraid, daughter ; let him 
alone till he come nearer to 
thee ! then show him the swad- 
dling cloth, which the Lady 
Mary gave us, and we shall see 
the event. 

16 Satan then coming like a 
dreadful dragon, the body of the 
girl trembled for fear. 

17 But as soon as she had 
put the swaddling cloth upon 
her head, and about her eyes, 
and showed it to him, presently 
there issued forth from the swad- 
dling cloth flames and burning 
coals, and fell upon the dra- 
gon. 

18 Oh ! how great a miracle 
was this, which was done : as 
soon as the dragon saw the 
swaddling cloth of the Lord Je- 
sus, fire went forth, and was 
scattered upon his head and 
eyes ; so that he cried out with 
a loud voice, What have I to do 
with thee, Jesus, thou son of 
Mary? Whither shall I flee 
from thee ? 

38 



by Satan. 

19 So he drew back much 
affrighted, and left the girl. 

20 And she was delivered 
from this trouble, and sang 
praises and thanks to God, and 
with her all who were present 
at the working of the miracle. 

CHAP. XIV. 

1 Judas, when a boy, possessed by Satan, and 
brought by his parents to Jesus to be cured, 
6 whom he tries to bite, 7 but failing, 
strikes Jesus, and makes him cry out. 8 
Whereupon Satan goes from Judas in the 
shape of a dog. 

ANOTHER woman like- 
wise lived there, whose 
son was possessed by Satan. 

2 This boy, named Judas, as 
often as Satan seized him, was 
inclined to bite all that were 
present ; and if he found no one 
else near him, he would bite his 
own hands and other parts. 

3 But the mother of this mis- 
erable boy, hearing of St. Mary 
and her son Jesus, arose present- 
ly, and taking her son in her 
arms, brought him to the Lady 
Mary. 

4 In the meantime, James 
and Joses had taken away the 
infant, the Lord Jesus, to play at 
a proper season with other chil- 
dren ; and when they went forth, 
they sat down, and the Lord Je- 
sus with them. 

5 Then Judas, who was pos- 
sessed, came and sat down at 
the right hand of Jesus ; 

6 When Satan was acting 
upon him as usual, he went 
about to bite the Lord Jesus, 

7 And because he could not 
do it, he struck Jesus on his 
right side, so that he cried 
out, 

8 And in the same moment 



Jesus animates 



I. INFANCY. 



clay figures. 



Satan went out of the boy, and 
ran away like a mad dog. 

9 This same boy who struck 
Jesus, and out of whom Satan 
went in the form of a dog, was 
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed 
him to the Jews. 

10 And that same side, on 
which Judas struck him, the 
Jews pierced with a spear. 

CHAP. XV. 

J. Jesus and other boys play together, and 
make clay figures of animals. 4 Jesus 
causes them to walk, 6 also makes clay 
birds, which he causes to fly, and eat and 
drink. 7 The children's parents alarmed, 
and take Jesus for a sorcerer. 8 He goes to 
a dyer's shop, and throws all the cloths into 
the furnace, and works a miracle therewith. 
15 Whereupon the Jews praise God. 

AND when the Lord Jesus 
was seven years of age, he 
was on a certain day with other 
boys his companions about the 
same age, 

2 Who, when they were at 
play, made clay into several 
shapes, namely, asses, oxen, 
birds, and other figures, 

3 Each boasting of his work, 
and endeavouring to excel the 
rest. 

4 Then the Lord Jesus said 
to the boys, I will command 
those figures which I have made 
to walk. 

5 And immediately they mov- 
ed; and when he commanded 
them to return, they returned. 

6 He had also made the fig- 
ures of birds and sparrows, 
which, when he commanded to 
fly, did fly, and when he com- 
manded to stand still, did stand 
still ; and if he gave them meat 
and drink, they did eat and 
drink. 

7 When at length the boys 



went away, and related these 
things to their parents, their 
fathers said to them, Take heed, 
children, for the future, of his 
company, for he is a sorcerer ; 
shun and avoid him, and from 
henceforth never play with him. 

8 fl On a certain day also, 
when the Lord Jesus was play- 
ing with the boys, and running 
about, he passed by a dyer's 
shop, whose name was Sa- 
lem ; 

9 And there were in his 
shop many pieces of cloth be- 
longing to the people of that 
city, which they designed to dye 
of several colours. 

10 Then the Lord Jesus, go- 
ing into the dyer's shop, took all 
the cloths and threw them into 
the furnace. 

11 When Salem came home, 
and saw the cloths spoiled, he 
began to make a great noise, 
and to chide the Lord Jesus, say- 
ing, 

12 What hast thou done to 
me, O thou son of Mary 1 Thou 
hast injured both me and my 
neighbours ; they all desired their 
cloths of a proper colour ; but 
thou hast come and spoiled them 
all. 

13 The Lord Jesus replied, I 
will change the colour of every 
cloth to what colour thou de- 
sirest ; 

14 And then he presently be- 
gan to take the cloths out of the 
furnace, and they were all dyed 
of those same colours which the 
dyer desired ; 

15 And when the Jews saw 
this surprising miracle, they 
praised God. 

39 



Jesus alters 



I. INFANCY. 



bad carpentry. 



CHAP. XVI. 

1 Christ miraculously widens or contracts 
gates, milk-pails, sieves or boxes, not prop- 
erly made by Joseph, 4 he not being skil- 
ful at his carpenter's trade. 5 The king 
of Jerusalem gives Joseph an order for a 
throne. 6 Joseph works on it for two years 
in the king's palace, and makes it two 
spans too short. 8 The king being angry 
with him, 10 Jesus comforts him, 13 com- 
mands him to pull one side of the throne 
while he pulls the other, and brings it to 
its proper dimensions. 14 Whereupon the 
bystanders praise God. 

AND Joseph, wheresoever he 
went in the city, took the 
Lord Jesus with him, where he 
was sent for to work, to make 
gates, or miik-pails, or sieves, or 
boxes ; the Lord Jesus was with 
him, wheresoever he went. 

2 And as often as Joseph had 
any thing in his work to make 
longer or shorter, or wider or 
narrower, the Lord Jesus would 
stretch his hand towards it. 

3 And presently it became as 
Joseph would have it. 

4 So that he had no need to 
finish any thing with his own 
hands, for he was not very 
skilful at his carpenter's trade. 

5 |f On a certain time the 
king of Jerusalem sent for him, 
and said, I would have thee 
make me a throne, of the same 
dimensions with that place in 
which I commonly sit. 

6 Joseph obeyed, and forth- 
with began the work, and con- 
tinued two years in the king's 
palace before he finished it. 

7 And when he came to fix 
it in its place, he found it want- 
ed two spans on each side of the 
appointed measure. 

8 Which when the king saw, 
he was very angry with Jo- 
seph ; 

9 And Joseph, afraid of the 

40 



king's anger, went to bed with- 
out his supper, taking not any 
thing to eat. 

10 Then the Lord Jesus ask- 
ed him, What he was afraid 
of? 

11 Joseph replied, Because 
I have lost my labour in the 
work which I have been about 
these two years. 

12 Jesus said to him, Fear 
not, neither be cast down ; 

13 Do thou lay hold on one 
side of the throne, and I will the 
other, and we will bring it to its 
just dimensions. 

14 And when Joseph had 
done as the Lord Jesus said, 
and each of them had with 
strength drawn his side, the 
throne obeyed, and was brought 
to the proper dimensions of the 
place. 

15 Which miracle when 
they who stood by saw, they 
were astonished, and praised 
God. 

16 The throne was made of 
the same wood which was in 
being in Solomon's time, name- 
ly, wood adorned with various 
shapes and figures. 

CHAP. XVII. 

1 Jesus plays with boys at hido and seek. 
3 Some women put his play-fellows in a 
furnace, 7 where they are transformed by 
Jesus into kids. 10 Jesus calls them to go 
and play, and they aro restored to their 
shape. 

ON another day the Lord 
Jesus, going out into the 
street, and seeing some boys 
who were met to play, joined 
himself to their company : 

2 But when they saw him, 
they hid themselves, and left him 
to seek for them ; 



Boy poisoned 



I. INFANCY. 



by a serpent 



3 The Lord Jesus came to 
the gate of a certain house, and 
asked some women who were 
standing there, Where the boys 
were gone 1 

4 And when they answered, 
That there was no one there, 
the Lord Jesus said, Who are 
those whom ye see in the fur- 
nace? 

5 They answered, They 
were kids of three years old. 

6 Then Jesus cried out aloud, 
and said, Come out hither, O ye 
kids, to your shepherd ; 

7 And presently the boys 
came forth like kids, and leaped 
about him ; which when the 
women saw, they were exceed- 
ingly amazed, and trembled. 

8 Then they immediately 
worshipped the Lord Jesus, and 
beseeched him, saying, O our 
Lord Jesus, son of Mary, thou 
art truly that good shepherd of 
Israel ! have mercy on thy hand- 
maids, who stand before thee, 
who do not doubt but that thou, 
O Lord, art come to save, and 
not to destroy. 

9 After that, when the Lord 
Jesus said, The children of Is- 
rael are like Ethiopians among 
the people ; the women said, 
Thou, Lord, knowest all things ; 
nor is any thing concealed from 
thee ; but now we entreat thee, 
and beseech of thy mercy, 
that thou wouldst restore those 
boys to their former state. 

10 Then Jesus said, Come 
hither, O boys, that we may go 
and play ; and immediately, in 
the presence of these women, 
the kids were changed, and 
returned into the shape of boys. 

4* 



CHAP. XVIII. 



1 Jesus becomes the king of his play-fellowSj 
and they crown him with flowers ; 4 mirac- 
ulously causes a serpent who had bitten Si- 
mon the Canaanite, then a boy, to suck out 
all the poison again ; 16 the serpent bursts, 
and Christ restores the boy to health. 

IN the month Adar Jesus 
gathered together the boys, 
and ranked them as though he 
had been a king ; 

2 For they spread their gar- 
ments on the ground for him to 
sit on ; and having made a 
crown of flowers, put it upon his 
head, and stood on his right 
and left as the guards of a king ; 

3 And if any one happened 
to pass by, they took him by 
force, and said, Come hither, 
and worship the king, that you 
may have a prosperous jour- 
ney. 

4 fl In the meantime, while 
these things were doing, there 
came certain men, carrying a boy 
upon a couch ; 

5 For this boy having gone 
with his companions to the 
mountain to gather wood, and 
having found there a partridge's 
nest, and put his hand in to take 
out the eggs, was stung by a 
poisonous serpent, which leaped 
out of the nest ; so that he was 
forced to cry out for the help of 
his companions : who, when 
they came, found him lying 
upon the earth like a dead 
person. 

6 After which, his neighbours 
came and carried him back into 
the city. 

7 But when they came to the 
place where the Lord Jesus was 
sitting like a king, and the other 
boys stood around him like his 

41 



Christ cures the 



I. INFANCY. 



bite of a viper. 



ministers, the boys made haste 
to meet him, who was bitten by 
the serpent, and said to his 
neighbours, Come and pay your 
respects to the king ; 

8 But when, by reason of 
their sorrow, they refused to 
come, the boys drew them and 
forced them against their wills 
to come. 

9 And when they came to the 
Lord Jesus, he inquired, On 
what account they carried that 
boy? 

10 And when they answered, 
that a serpent had bitten him, 
the Lord Jesus said to the boys, 
Let us go and kill that serpent. 

11 But when the parents of 
the boy desired to be excused, 
because their son lay at the 
point of death, the boys made 
answer, and said, Did not ye 
hear what the king said ? Let 
us go and kill the serpent ; and 
will not ye obey him ? 

12 So they brought the couch 
back again, whether they would 
ox not. 

13 And when they were come 
to the nest, the Lord Jesus 
said to the boys, Is this the ser- 
pent's lurking place ? They said, 
It was. 

14 Then the Lord Jesus call- 
ing the serpent, it presently came 
forth, and submitted to him : to 
whom he said, Go and suck out 
all the poison which thou hast 
infused into that boy : 

15 So the serpent crept to 
♦lie boy, and took away all its 
poison again. 

16 Then the Lord Jesus curs- 
ed the serpent, so that it imme- 
diately burst asunder, and died ; 

42 



17 And he touched the boy 
with his hand to restore him to 
his former health ; 

18 And when he began to cry, 
the Lord Jesus said, Cease cry- 
ing, for hereafter thou shalt be 
my disciple ; 

19 And this is that Simon the 
Canaanite who is mentioned in 
the Gospel. 

CHAP. XIX. 

1 James being bitten by a viper, Jesus blows 
on the wound and cures him. 4 Jesus charg- 
ed with throwing a boy from the roof of a 
house, 10 miraculously causes the dead 
boy to acquit him, 12 fetches water for his 
mother, breaks the pitcher and miraculously 
gathers the water in his mantle and bring3 
it home, 16 makes fish-pools on the sab- 
bath, 20 causes a boy to die who broke 
them down, 22 another boy runs against 
him, whom he also causes to die. 

N another day, Joseph sent 
his son James to gather 
wood, and the Lord Jesus went 
with him ; 

2 And when they came to the 
place where the wood was, and 
James began to gather it, be- 
hold, a venomous viper bit him, 
so that he began to cry and 
make a noise. 

3 The Lord Jesus, seeing him 
in this condition, came to him, 
and blowed upon the place 
where the viper had bit him, and 
it was instantly well. 

4 fl On a certain day the 
Lord Jesus was with some boys, 
who were playing on the house- 
top, and one of the boys fell 
down, and presently died. 

5 Upon which the other boys 
all running away, the Lord Je- 
sus was left alone on the house- 
top. 

6 And the boy's relations 
came to him, and said to the 
Lord Jesus, Thou didst throw 



Christ gathers 



I. INFANCY. 



spilt water. 



our son down from the house- 
top. 

7 But he denying it, they 
cried out, Our son is dead, and 
this is he who killed him. 

8 The Lord Jesus replied to 
them, Do not charge me with a 
crime, of which you are not able 
to convict me, but let us go ask 
the boy himself, who will bring 
the truth to light. 

9 Then the Lord Jesus, going 
down, stood over the head of the 
dead boy, and said with a loud 
voice, Zeinunus, Zeinunus, who 
threw thee down from the house- 
top ? 

10 Then the dead boy an- 
swered, Thou didst not throw me 
down, but such a one did. 

1 1 And when the Lord Jesus 
bade those who stood by take 
notice of his words, all who were 
present praised God on account 
of that miracle. 

12 ft On a certain time the 
Lady St. Mary had command- 
ed the Lord Jesus to fetch 
her some water out of the well ; 

13 And when he had gone to 
fetch the water, the pitcher, 
when it was brought up full, 
brake ; 

14 But Jesus, spreading his 
mantle, gathered up the water 
again, and brought it in that to 
his mother ; 

15 Who, being astonished at 
this wonderful thing, laid up 
this, and all the other things 
which she had seen, in her mem- 
ory. 

16 ft Again on another day 
the Lord Jesus was with some 
boys by a river, and they drew 
water out of the wer by little 



channels, and made little fish- 
pools. 

17 But the Lord Jesus had 
made twelve sparrows,and placed 
them about his pool on each 
side, three on a side. 

18 But it was the sabbath-day, 
and the son of Hanani, a Jew, 
came by, and saw them making 
these things, and said, Do ye 
thus make figures of clay on the 
sabbath ? And he ran to them, 
and broke down their fish-pools. 

19 But when the Lord Jesus 
clapped his hands over the spar- 
rows which he had made, they 
fled away chirping. 

20 At length the son of Hana- 
ni coming to the fish-pool of Je- 
sus to destroy it, the water van- 
ished away, and the Lord Jesus 
said to him, 

21 In like manner as this wa- 
ter has vanished, so shall thy 
life vanish; and presently the 
boy died. 

22 ft Another time, when the 
Lord Jesus was coming home in 
the evening with Joseph, he 
met a boy, who ran so hard 
against him, that he threw him 
down ; 

23 To whom the Lord Jesus 
said, As thou hast thrown me 
down, so shalt thou fall, nor ever 
rise. 

24 And that moment the boy 
fell down, and died. 

CHAP. XX. 

4 Sent to school to Zaccheus to learn his 
letters, and teaches Zaccheu3. 13 Sent to 
another schoolmaster, 14 refuses to tell 
his letters, and the schoolmaster going to 
whip him, his hand withers, and he die3. 

THERE was also at Jerusa- 
lem one named Zaccheus, 
who was a schoolmaster ; ... 
43 ': ' 



The two 



I. INFANCY. 



schoolmasters. 



2 And he said to Joseph, Jo- 
seph, why dost thou not send Je- 
sus to me, that he may learn his 
letters ? , 

3 Joseph agreed, and told St. 
Mary. 

4 So they brought him to 
that master ; who, as soon as he 
saw him, wrote out an alphabet 
for him, 

5 And he bad him say Aleph ; 
and when he had said Aleph, 
the master bad him pronounce 
Beth. 

6 Then the Lord Jesus said to 
him, Tell me first the meaning 
of the letter Aleph, and then I 
will pronounce Beth. 

7 And when the master 
threatened to whip him, the 
Lord Jesus explained to him 
the meaning of the letters Aleph 
and Beth; 

8 Also which were the straight 
figures of the letters, which the 
oblique, and what letters had 
double figures ; which had points, 
and which had none ; why one 
letter went before another ; and 
many other things he began to 
tell him, and explain, of which 
the master himself had never 
heard, nor read in any book. 

9 The Lord Jesus further said 
to the master, Take notice how 
I say to thee; then he began 
clearly and distinctly to say 
Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, and 
so on to the end of the alphabet. 

10 At this the master was so 
surprised, that he said, I believe 
this boy was born before Noah ; 

1 1 And turning to Joseph, he 
said, Thou hast brought a boy to 
me to be taught, who is more 
learned than any master. 

44 



12 He said also to St. Mary, 
This your son has no need of 
any learning. 

13 |f They brought him then 
to a more learned master, who, 
when he saw him, said, Say 
Aleph ; 

14 And when he had said Aleph, 
the master bad him pronounce 
Beth ; to which the Lord Jesus 
replied, Tell me first the mean- 
ing of the letter Aleph, and then 
I will pronounce Beth. 

15 But this master, when he 
lift up his hand to whip him, 
had his hand presently withered, 
and he died. 

16 Then said Joseph to St. 
Mary, Henceforth we will not 
allow him to go out of the house ; 
for every one who displeases 
him is killed. 

CHAP. XXI. 

1 Disputes miraculously with the doctors in 
the temple, 7 on law, 9 on astronomy, 
12 on physics and metaphysics. 21 Is wor- 
shipped by a philosopher, 28 and fetched 
home by his mother. 

AND when he was twelve 
years old, they brought 
him to Jerusalem to the feast ; 
and when the feast was over, 
they returned. 

2 But the Lord Jesus con- 
tinued behind in the temple 
among the doctors and elders, 
and learned men of Israel ; to 
whom he proposed several ques- 
tions of learning, and also gave 
them answers : 

3 For he said to them, Whose 
son is the Messiah? They an- 
swered, The son of David : 

4 Why then, said he, does 
he in the spirit call him Lord ? 



Disputes with 



I. INFANCY. 



the doctors. 



when he saith, The Lord said to 
my Lord, Sit thou at my right 
hand, till I have made thine en- 
emies thy footstool. 

5 Then a certain principal 
Rabbi asked him, Hast thou 
read books? 

6 Jesus answered, He had 
read both books, and the things 
which were contained in books. 

7 And he explained to them 
the books of the law, and pre- 
cepts, and statutes, and the mys- 
teries which are contained in 
the books of the prophets; 
things which the mind of no 
creature could reach. 

8 Then said that Rabbi, I 
never yet have seen or heard of 
such knowledge ! What do you 
think that boy will be ? 

9 1] When a certain astrono- 
mer, who was present, asked 
the Lord Jesus, Whether he had 
studied astronomy ? 

10 The Lord Jesus replied, 
and told him the number of the 
spheres and heavenly bodies, as 
also their triangular, square, and 
sextile aspect ; their progressive 
and retrograde motion ; their 
size, and several prognostica- 
tions; and other things, which 
the reason of man had never 
discovered. 

1 1 IT There was also among 
them a philosopher well skilled 
in physic and natural philosophy, 
who asked the Lord Jesus, 
Whether he had studied physic ? 

12 He replied, and explained 
to him physics and metaphysics, 

13 Also those things which 
were above and below the power 
of nature ; 

14 The powers also of the 



body, its humours and their ef- 
fects ; 

15 Also the number of its 
members, and bones, veins, ar- 
teries, and nerves ; 

16 The several constitutions 
of the body, hot and dry, cold 
and moist, and the tendencies 
of them ; 

17 How the soul operated 
upon the body ; 

18 What its various sensa- 
tions and faculties were ; 

19 The faculty of speaking, 
anger, desire ; 

20 And lastly, the manner of 
its composition and dissolution ; 
and other things, which the un- 
derstanding of no^ creature had 
ever reached. 

21 Then that philosopher 
arose, and worshipped the Lord 
Jesus, and said, O Lord Jesus, 
from henceforth I will be thy 
disciple and servant. 

22 fl While they were dis- 
coursing on these and such like 
things, the Lady St. Mary came 
in, having been three days walk- 
ing about with Joseph, seeking 
for him. 

23 And when she saw him 
sitting among the doctors, and 
in his turn proposing questions 
to them, and giving answers, 
she said to him, My son, why 
hast thou done thus by us ? Be- 
hold, I and thy father have been 
at much pains in seeking thee. 

24 He replied, Why did ye 
seek me ? Did ye not know 
that I ought to be employed in 
my father's house? 

25 But they understood not 
the words which he said to 
them. 

45 



Christ is 



II. INFANCY. 



baptized. 



26 Then the doctors asked 
Mary, Whether this were her 
son 1 And when she said, He 
was, they said, O happy Mary, 
who hast borne such a son. 

27 Then he returned with 
them to Nazareth, and obeyed 
them in all things. 

28 And his mother kept all 
these sayings in her mind ; 

29 And the Lord Jesus grew 
in stature and wisdom, and fa- 
vour with God and man. 

CHAP. XXII. 

1 Conceals his miracles, 2 studies the law, 
3 and is baptized. 

NOW from this time, Jesus 
began Jp conceal his mir- 
acles and secret works, 

2 And gave himself to the 
study of the law, till he arrived 
to the end of his thirtieth year ; 

3 At which time the Father 
publicly owned him at Jordan, 



sending down this voice from 
heaven, This is my beloved son, 
in whom I am well pleased ; 

4 The Holy Ghost being also 
present in the form of a dove. 

5 This is he whom we wor- 
ship with all reverence, because 
he gave us our life and being, 
and brought us from our moth- 
er's womb ; 

6 Who, for our sakes, took a 
human body, and hath redeemed 
us, that so he might embrace 
us with everlasting mercy, and 
show his free, large, bountiful 
grace and goodness to us. 

7 To him be glory and praise, 
and power and dominion, from 
henceforth and for evermore. 
Amen. 

fl The end of the whole Gospel 
of the Infancy, by the assist- 
ance of the supreme God, ac- 
cording to what we found in 
the original. 



THOMAS'S GOSPEL of the INFANCY of JESUS 
CHRIST. 

(The original in Greek, from which this translation is made, will be found printed by Cotele- 
rius, in his notes on the constitutions of the Apostles, from a MS. in the French King's 
Library, No. 2279. — It is attributed to Thomas, and conjectured to have been originally 
connected with the Gospel of Mary.] 



fl An Account of the Actions 
and Miracles of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ 
in his Infancy. 

CHAP. I. 

2 Jesus miraculously clears the water after 
rain, 4 plays with clay sparrows, which 
he animates on the sabbath day. 

I THOMAS, an Israelite, 
judged it necessary to 
46 



make known to our brethren 
among the Gentiles, the actions 
and miracles of Christ in his 
childhood, which our Lord and 
God Jesus Christ wrought after 
his birth in Bethlehem in our 
country, at which I myself was 
astonished ; the beginning of 
which was as followeth : 

2 fl When the child Jesus was 



Christ enlivens 



II. INFANCY. 



clay birds. 



five years of age, and there had 
been a shower of rain, which 
was now over, Jesus was play- 
ing with other Hebrew boys by 
a running stream ; and the 
water, running over the banks, 
stood in little lakes ; 

3 But the waters instantly 
became clear and useful again ; 
he having smote them only by his 
word, they readily obeyed him. 

4 Then he took from the 
bank of the stream some soft 
clay, and formed out of it twelve 
sparrows ; and there were other 
boys playing with him. 

5 But a certain Jew, seeing 
the things which he was doing, 
namely, his forming clay into 
the figures of sparrows on the 
sabbath day, went presently 
away, and told his father Joseph, 
and said, 

6 Behold, thy boy is playing 
by the river side, and has taken 
clay, and formed it into twelve 
sparrows, and profaneth the sab- 
bath. 

7 Then Joseph came to the 
place where he was, and when 
he saw him, called to him, and 
said, Why doest thou that which 
it is not lawful to do on the sab- 
bath day 1 

8 Then Jesus, clapping to- 
gether the palms of his hands, 
called to the sparrows, and said 
to them, Go, fly away; and 
while ye live remember me. 

9 Soothe sparrows fled away, 
making a noise. 

10 The Jews, seeing this, 
were astonished, and went away, 
and told their chief persons 
what a strange miracle they had 
seen wrought by Jesus. 



CHAP. II. 



1 Causes a boy to wither who broke down hi8 
fish-pools, 6 partly restores him, 7 kills 
another boy, 16 causes blindness to fall on 
his accusers, 18 for which Joseph pulls 
him by the ear. 

BESIDES this, the son of 
Anna the scribe was 
standing there with Joseph, 
and took a bough of a willow 
tree, and scattered the waters 
which Jesus had gathered into 
lakes. 

2 But the boy Jesus, seeing 
what he had done, became an- 
gry, and said to him, Thou fool, 
what harm did the lakes do thee, 
that thou shouldest scatter the 
water 1 

3 Behold, now thou shalt 
wither as a tree, and shalt not 
bring forth either leaves, or 
branches, or fruit. 

4 And immediately he be- 
came withered all over. 

5 Then Jesus went away 
home. But the parents of the 
boy who was withered, lament- 
ing the misfortune of his youth, 
took and carried him to Joseph, 
accusing him, and said, Why 
dost thou keep a son who is 
guilty of such actions 1 

6 Then Jesus, at the request 
of all who were present, did 
heal him, leaving only some small 
member to continue withered, 
that they might take warning. 

7 fl Another time Jesus went 
forth into the street, and a boy, 
running by, rushed upon his 
shoulder ; 

8 At which Jesus, being 
angry, said to him, Thou shalt 
go no farther. 

9 And he instantly fell down 
dead; 

47 



Christ sent 



II. INFANCY. 



to school. 



10 Which when some per- 
sons saw, they said, Where was 
this boy born, that every thing 
which he says presently cometh 
to pass ? 

11 Then the parents of the 
dead boy, going to Joseph, com- 
plained, saying, You are not fit 
to live with us, in our city, hav- 
ing such a boy as that : 

12 Either teach him that he 
bless, and not curse, or else de- 
part hence with him, for he kills 
our children. 

13 fl Then Joseph, calling the 
boy Jesus, by himself, instructed 
him, saying, Why doest thou 
such things to injure the people, 
so that they hate us and perse- 
cute us? 

14 But Jesus replied, I know 
that what thou sayest is not of 
thyself, but for thy sake I will 
say nothing ; 

15 But they who have said 
these things to thee, shall suffer 
everlasting punishment. 

16 Andimmediately they who 
had accused him became blind. 

17 And all they who saw it, 
were exceedingly afraid and 
confounded, and said concern- 
ing him, Whatsoever he saith, 
whether good or bad, immedi- 
ately cometh to pass : and they 
were amazed. 

18 And when they saw this 
action of Christ, Joseph arose, 
and plucked him by the ear ; at 
which the boy was angry, and 
said to him, Be easy : 

19 For if they seek for us, 
they shall not find us : thou hast 
done very imprudently. 

20 Dost thou not know that 
I am thine ? trouble me no more. 

48 



CHAP. III. 

Astonishes his schoolmaster by his learning. 

A CERTAIN schoolmaster, 
named Zaccheus, stand- 
ing in a certain place, heard Je- 
sus speaking these things to his 
father ; 

2 And he was much surpris- 
ed, that, being a child, he should 
speak such things ; and after a 
few days he came to Joseph, 
and said, 

3 Thou hast a wise and sen- 
sible child ; send him to me, that 
he may learn to read. 

4 When he sat down to teach 
the letters to Jesus, he began 
with the first letter, Aleph ; 

5 But Jesus pronounced the 
second letter Mpeth (Beth), 
Cghimel (Gimel), and said over 
all the letters to him to the end. 

6 Then, opening a book, he 
taught his master the prophets ; 
but he was ashamed, and was 
at a loss to conceive how he 
came to know the letters. 

7 And he arose and went 
home, wonderfully surprised at 
so strange a thing. 

CHAP. IV. 

Fragment of an adventure at a dyer's. 

S Jesus was passing by a 
certain shop, he saw a 
young man dipping (or dyeing) 
some cloths and stockings in a 
furnace, of a sad colour, doing 
them according to every person's 
particular order ; 

2 The boy Jesus, going to the 

young man who was doing this, 

took also some of the cloths * * 

^f Here endcth the Fragment of 

Thomas's Gospel of the In- 

fancy of Jesus Christ. 



The EPISTLES of JESUS CHRIST and ABGARUS 

King of Edessa. 

[The first writer who makes any mention of the Epistles that passed between Jesus Christ 
and Abgarus, is Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, in Palestine, who flourished in the early 
part of the fourth century. For their genuineness, he appeals to the public registries and 
records of the city of Edessa, in Mesopotamia, where Abgarus reigned, and where he^af- 
firms that he found them written in the Syriac language. He published a Greek translation 
of them in his Ecclesiastical History.i The learned world has been much divided on this 
subject ; but, notwithstanding the erudite Grabe, with Archbishop Cave, Dr. Parker, 
and other divines, have strenuously contended for their admission into the canon of Scrip- 
ture, they are deemed apocryphal. The reverend Jeremiah Jones observes, that the com- 
mon people in England have this epistle in their houses, in many places, fixed in a frame, 
with the picture of Christ before it ; and that they generally, with much honesty and devo- 
tion, regard it as the Word of God, and the genuine Epistle of Christ.] 



CHAP. I. 

A copy of a letter written by King Abgarus 
to Jesus, and sent to him by Ananias, his 
footman, to Jerusalem, 5 inviting him to 
Edessa. 

ABGARUS, king of Edessa, 
to Jesus the good Saviour, 
who appears at Jerusalem, greet- 
ing: 

2 I have been informed con- 
cerning you and your cures, 
which are performed without 
the use of medicines and 
herbs. 

3 For it is reported, that you 
cause the blind to see, the lame 
to walk, do both cleanse lepers, 
and cast out unclean spirits and 
devils, and restore them to 
health who have been long dis- 
eased, and raisest up the 
dead : • 

4 All which when I heard, I 
was persuaded of one of these 
two, viz. either that you are God 
himself descended from heaven, 
who do these things, or the Son 
of God. 

5 On this account therefore I 
have wrote to you, earnestly to 
desire you would take the trouble 

> L. i. c. 13. 
5 



of a journey hither, and cure a 
disease which I am under. 

6 For I hear the Jews ridi- 
cule you, and intend you mis- 
chief. 

7 My city is indeed small, 
but neat, and large enough for 
us both. 

CHAP. II. 

The answer of Jesus by Ananias the foot 
man to Abgarus the king, 3 declining to 
visit Edessa. 

ABGARUS, you are happy, 
forasmuch as you have 
believed on me, whom you have 
not seen. 

2 For it is written concern- 
ing me, that those who have 
seen me should not believe on 
me, that they who have not seen 
might believe and live. 

3 As to that part of your let- 
ter which relates to my giving 
you a visit, I must inform you 
that I must fulfil all the ends of 
my mission in this country, and 
after that be received up again 
to him who sent me. 

4 But after my ascension, I 
will send one of my disciples, 
who will cure your disease, and 
give life to you, and all that are 
with you. 

49 



The GOSPEL of NICODEMUS, formerly called The 
ACTS of PONTIUS PILATE. 

[Although this Gospel is, by some among the learned, supposed to have been really written 
by Nicodemus, who became a disciple of Jesus Christ, and conversed with him, others con- 
jecture that it was a forgery, towards the close of the third century, by some zealous believ- 
er, who, observing that there had been appeals made by the Christians of the former age to 
the Acts of Pilate, but that such acts could not be produced, imagined it would be of ser- 
vice to Christianity to fabricate and publish this Gospel ; as it would botli confirm the 
Christians under persecution, and" convince the heathens of the truth of the Christian re- 
ligion. The Rev. Jeremiah Jones says, that such pious frauds were very common among 
Christians even in the first three centuries ; and that a forgery of this nature, with the 
view above-mentioned, seems natural and probable. The same author, in noticing that 
Eusebius, in his Ecclesiastical History, charges the pagans with having forged and pub- 
lished a book, called "The Acts of Pilate," takes occasion to observe, that the internal 
evidence of this Gospel shows that it was not the work of any heathen ; but that if in the 
latter end of the third century we find it in use among Christians (and it was certainly 
then read in some churches), and about the same time find a forgery of the heathens under 
the same title, it seems exceeding probable, that some Christians, at that time, should pub- 
lish such a piece as this, in order partly to confront the spurious one of the pagans, and 
partly to support those appeals which had been made by former Christians to the Acts of 
Pilate ; and Mr. Jones says, he thinks so the more particularly, as we have innumerable in- 
stances of forgeries by the faithful in the primitive ages, grounded on less plausible rea- 
sons. Whether it be canonical or not, it is of very great antiquity, and is appealed to by 
several of the ancient Christians. The present translation is made from the Gospel pub- 
lished by Grynseus in the Orthodoxographia, vol. i. torn. ii. p. 643.] 



The Gospel of Nicodemus the 
Disciple, concerning the Suf- 
ferings and Resurrection of 
our Master and Saviour Je- 
sus Christ. 

CHAP. I. 

I Christ accused to Pilate, by the Jews, of 
healing on the sabbath, 9 summoned before 
Pilate by a messenger who does him honour, 
20 worshipped by the standards bowing down 
to him. 

ANNAS and Caiphas, and 
Summas, and Datam, Ga- 
maliel, Judas, Levi, Nepthalim, 
Alexander, Cyrus, and other 
Jews, went to Pilate about Je- 
sus, accusing him with many 
bad crimes. 

2 And said, We are assured 
that Jesus is the son of Joseph 
the carpenter, 1 and born of Ma- 
ry, and that he declares himself 
the Son of God, and a king; 2 
and not only so, but attempts 

1 Matt. xiii. 55. and John vi. 42. 

2 John v. 17, 18. Mark xv. 2. 

* Matt. xii. 2, &c. Luke xiii. 14. 
John v. 18. 

50 



the dissolution of the sabbath, 3 
and the laws of our fathers. 

3 Pilate replied, What is it 
which he declares? and what is 
it which he attempts dissolv- 
ing? 

4 The Jews told him. We 
have a law which forbids doing 
cures on the sabbath day ; 4 but 
he cures both the lame and the 
deaf, those afflicted with the 
palsy, the blind, and lepers, and 
demoniacs, on that day by wick- 
ed methods. 5 

5 Pilate replied, How can he 
do this by wickecf methods ? 
They answered, He is a con- 
jurer, and casts out devils by the 
prince of the devils; 6 and so 
all things become subject to 
him. 

6 Then said Pilate, Casting 
out devils seems not to be the 

4 Exod. xx, 8, &c. 

5 Matt. iv. 24, and xi. 5. 

6 Matt. ix. 34, and xii. 24, &c. ' 



Christ loorshijjped 



NICODEMUS. 



by the standards. 



work of an unclean spirit, but 
to proceed from the power of 
God. 

7 The Jews replied to Pilate, 
We entreat your highness to 
summon him to appear before 
your tribunal, and hear him 
yourself. 

8 Then Pilate called a mes- 
senger, and said to him, By 
what means will Christ be 
brought hither 1 

9 Then went the messenger 
forth, and, knowing Christ, wor- 
shipped him ; and having spread 
the cloak which he had in his 
hand upon the ground, he said, 
Lord, walk upon this, and go 
in, for the governor calls thee. 

10 When*the Jews perceived 
what the messenger had done, 
they exclaimed (against him) to 
Pilate, and said, Why did not 
you give him his summons by 
a beadle, and not by a mes- 
senger ? — For the messenger, 
when he saw him, worship- 
ped him, and spread the cloak 
which he had in his hand upon 
the ground before him, and said 
to him, Lord, the governor calls 
thee. 

11 Then Pilate called the 
messenger, and said, Why hast 
thou done thus 1 

12 The messenger replied, 
When thou sentest me from Je- 
rusalem to Alexander, I saw Je- 
sus sitting in a mean figure up- 
on a she-ass, and the children 
of the Hebrews cried out, Ho- 
sannah, holding boughs of trees 
in their hands. 

13 Others spread their gar- 
ments in the way, and said, 
Save us, thou who art in heav- 



en ; blessed is he who cometh 
in the name of the Lord. 1 

14 Then the Jews cried out 
against the messenger, and said, 
The children of the Hebrews 
made their acclamations in the 
Hebrew language ; and how 
couldst thou, who art a Greek, 
understand the Hebrew 1 

15 The messenger answered 
them and said, I asked one of 
the Jews, and said, What is this 
which the children do cry out in 
the Hebrew language 2 

16 And he explained it to 
me, saying, They cry out, Ho- 
sannah, which, being interpret- 
ed, is, O Lord, save me ; or, O 
Lord, save. 

17 Pilate then said to them, 
Why do you yourselves testify 
to the words spoken by the chil- 
dren, namely, by your silence 1 
In what has the messenger done 
amiss ? And they were silent. 

18 Then the governor said 
unto the messenger, Go forth, 
and endeavour by any means to 
bring him in. 

19 But the messenger went 
forth, and did as before; and 
said, Lord, come in, for the gov- 
ernor calleth thee. 

20 And as Jesus was going 
in by the ensigns, who carried 
the standards, the tops of them 
bowed down and worshipped 
Jesus. 

21 Whereupon the Jews ex- 
claimed more vehemently against 
the ensigns. 

22 But Pilate said to the 
Jews, I know it is not pleasing 
to you that the tops of the 
standards did of themselves bow, 

» Matt. xxi. 8, 9, &c. 
51 



Charged 



NICODEMUS. 



with being 



and worship Jesus ; but why do 
ye exclaim against the ensigns, 
as if they had bowed and wor- 
shipped ? 

23 They replied to Pilate, 
We saw the ensigns themselves 
bowing and worshipping Jesus. 

24 Then the governor called 
the ensigns, and said unto them, 
Why did you do thus ? 

25 The ensigns said to Pi- 
late, We are all pagans, and 
worship the gods in temples; 
and how should we think any 
thing about worshipping him? 
We only held the standards in 
our hands, and they bowed 
themselves and worshipped him. 

26 Then said Pilate to the 
rulers of the synagogue, Do ye 
yourselves choose some strong 
men, and let them hold the 
standards, and we shall see 
whether they will then bend of 
themselves. 

27 So the elders of the Jews 
sought out twelve of the most 
strong and able old men, and 
made them hold the standards ; 
and they stood in the presence 
of the governors. 

28 Then Pilate said to the 
messenger, Take Jesus out, and 
by some means bring him in 
again. And Jesus and the mes- 
senger went out of the hall. 

29 And Pilate called the en- 
signs who before had borne the 
standards, and swore to them, 
that if they had not borne the 
standards in that manner when 
Jesus before entered in, he 
would cut oif their heads. 

30 Then the governor com- 
manded Jesus to come in again. 

31 And the messenger did as 

52 



he had done before, and very 
much entreated Jesus that he 
would go upon his cloak, and 
walk on it ; and he did walk 
upon it, and went in. 

32 And when Jesus went in, 
the standards bowed themselves 
as before, and worshipped him. 

CHAP. II. 

2 Is compassionated by Pilate's wife, 7 
charged with being born in fornication. 12 
Testimony to the betrothing of his parents. 
15 Hatred of the Jews to him. 

NOW when Pilate saw this, 
he was afraid, and was 
about to rise from his seat. 

2 But while he thought to 
rise, his own wife, who stood at 
a distance, sent to him, saying, 
Have thou nothing* to do with 
that just man; for I have suf- 
fered much concerning him in 
a vision this night. 1 

3 When the Jews heard this, 
they said to Pilate, Did we not 
say unto thee, He is a conjurer? 
Behold he hath caused thy wife 
to dream. 

4 Pilate then, calling Jesus, 
said, Hast thou heard what they 
testify against thee, and makest 
no answer ? 

5 Jesus replied, If they had 
not a power of speaking, they 
could not have spoke ; but be- 
cause every one has the com- 
mand of his own tongue, to 
speak both good and bad, let 
them look to it. 

6 But the elders of the Jews 
answered, and said to Jesus, 
What shall we look to ? 

7 In the first place, we know 
this concerning thee, that thou 
wast born through fornication ; 

1 Matt, xxvii. 19. 



born in 



NICODEMUS. 



fornication. 



secondly, that upon the account 
of thy birth, the infants were 
slain in Bethlehem ; thirdly, that 
thy father and mother Mary fled 
into Egypt, because they could 
not trust their own people. 

8 Some of the Jews who 
stood by, spake more favourably; 
We cannot say that he was born 
through fornication; but we 
know that his mother Mary was 
betrothed to Joseph, and so he 
was not born through fornica- 
tion. 

9 Then said Pilate to the 
Jews who affirmed him to be 
born through fornication, This 
your account is not true, seeing 
there was a betrothment, as they 
testify who are of your own na- 
tion. 

10 Annas and Caiphas spake 
to Pilate, All this multitude of 
people is to be regarded, who 
cry out, that he was born 
through fornication, and is a 
conjurer ; but they who deny 
him to be born through fornica- 
tion, are his proselytes and dis- 
ciples. 

11 Pilate replied to Annas 
and Caiphas, Who are the prose- 
lytes 1 They answered, Tiiey are 
those who are the children of 
pagans, and are not become 
Jews, but followers of him. 

12 Then replied Eleazar, and 
Asterius, and Antonius, and 
James, Caras and Samuel, Isaac 
and Phineas, Crispus and Agrip- 
pa, Annas and Judas, We are 
not proselytes, but children of 
Jews, and speak the truth, and 
were present when Mary was 
betrothed. 

» John, v. 17. 18. Mark xv. 2. 

5'* 



13 Then Pilate, addressing 
himself to the twelve men who 
spake this, said to them, I con- 
jure you by the life of Caesar, 
that ye faithfully declare wheth- 
er he was born through fornica- 
tion, and those things be true 
which ye have related. 

14 They answered Pilate, We 
have a law, whereby we are for- 
bid to swear, it being a sin ; let 
them swear by the life of Caesar 
that it is not as we have said, 
and we will be contented to be 
put to death. 

15 Then said Annas and Cai- 
phas to Pilate, Those twelve 
men will not believe that we 
know him to be basely born, and 
to be a conjurer, although he 
pretends that he is the Son of 
God, and a king j 1 which we are 
so far from believing, that we 
tremble to hear. 

16 Then Pilate commanded 
every one to go out except the 
twelve men who said he was not 
born through fornication, and 
Jesus to withdraw to a distance, 
and said to them, Why have 
the Jews a mind to kill Je- 
sus 1 » j 

17 They answered him, They 
are angry because he wrought 
cures on the sabbath day. Pi- 
late said, Will they kill him for 
a good work ! 2 They say unto 
him, Yes, sir. 

CHAP. III. 

1 Is exonerated by Pilate. 11 Disputes with 
Pilate concerning truth. 

THEN Pilate, filled with an- 
ger, went out of the hall, 
and said to the Jews, I call the 

2 John, x. 32. 

53 



Clirist disputes 



NICODEMUS. 



with Pilate. 



whole world to witness that I 
find no fault in that man. 1 

2 The Jews replied to Pilate, 
If he had not been a wicked 
person, we had not brought him 
before thee. 

3 Pilate said to them, Do ye 
take him, and try him by your 
law. 

4 Then the Jews said, It is 
not lawful for us to put any man 
to death. 

5 Pilate said to the Jews, 
The command, therefore, Thou 
shalt not kill, 2 belongs to you, 
but not to me. 

6 And he went again into the 
hall, and called Jesus by him- 
self, and said to him, Art thou 
the king of the Jews? 

7 And Jesus answering, said 
to Pilate, Dost thou speak this 
of thyself, or did the Jews tell 
it thee concerning me ? 

8 Pilate answering, said to 
Jesus, Am I a Jew 1 The whole 
nation and rulers of the Jews 
have delivered thee up to me. 
What hast thou done ? 

9 Jesus answering, said, My 
kingdom is not of this world : 
if my kingdom were of this 
world, then would my servants 
fight, and I should not have 
been delivered to the Jews ; but 
now my kingdom is not from 
hence. 

10 Pilate said, Art thou a 
king then? Jesus answered, 
Thou sayest that I am a king : to 
this end was I born, and for 
this end came I into the world ; 
and for this purpose I came, 
that I should bear witness to the 



1 John, xviii. 31, 
* Exod. xx. 13. 

54 



&c. 



truth; and every one who is of 
the truth, heareth my voice. 

11 Pilate saith to him, What 
is truth? 

12 Jesus said, Truth is from 
heaven. 

13 Pilate said, Therefore 
truth is not on earth. 

14 Jesus saith to Pilate, Be- 
lieve that truth is on earth 
among those who, when they 
have the power of judgment, 
are governed by truth, and form 
right judgment. 

CHAP. IV. 

1 Pilate finds no fault in Jesus. 16 The Jews 
demand his crucifixion. 

THEN Pilate left Jesus in 
the hall, and went out to 
the Jews, and said, I find not 
any one fault in Jesus. 

2 The Jews say unto him, 
But he said, I can destroy the 
temple of God, and in three 
days build it up again. 

3 Pilate saith unto them, 
What sort of temple is that of 
which he speaketh ? 

4 The Jews say unto him, 
That which Solomon was forty- 
six years in building, 3 he said 
he would destroy, and in three 
days build up. 

5 Pilate said to them again, I 
am innocent from the blood of 
that man ; do ye look to it. 4 

6 The Jews say to him, His 
blood be upon us and our chil- 
dren. Then Pilate, calling to- 
gether the elders and scribes, 
priests and Levites, saith to them 
privately, Do not act thus ; I have 
found nothing in your charge 

3 John, it 20. 

4 Matt, xxvii. 24. 



Pilate inclines 



NICODEMUS. 



to Christ. 



(against him) concerning his 
curing sick persons, and break- 
ing the Sabbath, worthy of death. 

7 The priests and Levites re- 
plied to Pilate, By the life of 
Caesar, if any one be a blas- 
phemer, he is worthy of death ; x 
but this man hath blasphemed 
against the Lord. 

8 Then the governor again 
commanded the Jews to depart 
out of the hall ; and calling Je- 
sus, said to him, What shall I 
do with thee? 

9 Jesus answered him, Do 
according as it is written. 

10 Pilate said to him, How is 
it written ? 

11 Jesus saith to him, Moses 
and the prophets have prophe- 
sied concerning my suffering and 
resurrection. 

12 The Jews, hearing this, 
were provoked, and said to Pi- 
late, Why wilt thou any longer 
hear the blasphemy of that man 1 

13 Pilate saith to them, If 
these words seem to you blas- 
phemy, do ye take him, bring 
him to your court, and try him 
according to your law. 

14 The Jews reply to Pilate, 
Our law saith, that if one man 
injure another, he shall be oblig- 
ed to receive nine and thirty 
stripes ; but if after this manner 
he shall blaspheme against the 
Lord, he shall be stoned. 

15 Pilate saith unto them, If 
that speech of his was blasphe- 
my, do ye try him according to 
your law. 

16 The Jews say to Pilate, 
Our law commands us not to put 

1 Lev. xxiv. 16. 



any one to death : 2 we desire that 
he may be crucified, because 
he deserves the death of the 
cross. 

17 Pilate saith to them, It is 
not fit he should be crucified ; 
let him be only whipped and sent 
away. 3 

18 But when the governor 
looked upon the people that were 
present and the Jews, he saw 
many of the Jews in tears, and 
said to the chief priests of the 
Jews, All the people do not de- 
sire his death. 

19 The elders of the Jews an- 
swered to Pilate, We and all the 
people came hither for this very 
purpose, that he should die. 

20 Pilate saith to them, Why 
should he die ? 

21 They said to him, Because 
he declares himself to be the Son 
of God, and a king. 

CHAP. V 

1 Nicodemus speaks in defence of Christ, and 
relates his miracles. 12 Another Jew, 26 
with Veronica, 34 Centurio, and others, tes- 
tify of other miracles. 

UT Nicodemus, a certain 
Jew, stood before the gov- 
ernor, and said, I entreat thee, 
O righteous judge, that thou 
wouldest favour me with the lib- 
erty of speaking a few words. 

2 Pilate said to him, Speak on, 

3 Nicodemus said, I spake to 
the elders of the Jews, and the 
scribes, and priests, and Levites, 
and all the multitude of the Jews, 
in their assembly ; What is it ye 
would do with this man 1 

4 He is a man who hath 
wrought many useful and glori- 

2 Exod. xx. 13. 

3 Luke xxiii. 16. 

55 



A Jeio, cured 



NICODEMUS. 



by Christy 



ous miracles, such as no man on 
earth ever wrought before, nor 
will ever work. 1 Let him go, 
and do him no harm : if he com- 
eth from God, his miracles (his 
miraculous cures) will continue ; 
but if from men, they will come 
to naught. 2 

5 Thus Moses, when he was 
sent by God into Egypt, wrought 
the miracles which God com- 
manded him, before Pharaoh 
king of Egypt ; and though the 
magicians of that country, Jan- 
nes and Jambres, 3 wrought by 
their magic the same miracles 
which Moses did, yet they could 
not work all which he did. 4 

6 And the miracles, which 
the magicians wrought, were not 
of God, as ye know, O scribes 
and Pharisees; but they who 
wrought them perished, and all 
who believed them. 5 

7 And now let this man go ; 
because the very miracles for 
which ye accuse him, are from 
God ; and he is not worthy of 
death. 

8 The Jews then said to Nic- 
odemus, Art thou become his 
disciple, and making speeches 
in his favour? 

9 Nicodemus said to them, Is 
the governor become his disciple 
also, and does he make speeches 
for him ? Did not Caesar place 
him in that high post 1 

10 When the Jews heard this, 
they trembled, and gnashed their 
teeth at Nicodemus, and said to 
him, Mayest thou receive his 



* John ill. 2. 

2 Acts v. 38. 

3 These are mentioned also a9 
names of the magicians, 2 Tim. iii. I 

56 



the 



doctrine for truth, and have thy 
lot with Christ ! 

1 1 Nicodemus replied, Amen ; 
I will receive his doctrine, and 
my lot with him, as ye have said. 

12 fl Then another certain 
Jew rose up, and desired leave 
of the governor to hear him a 
few words. 

13 And the governor said, 
Speak what thou hast a mind. 

14 And he said, I lay for 
thirty-eight years by the sheep- 
pool at Jerusalem, labouring un- 
der a great infirmity, and wait- 
ing for a cure which should be 
wrought by the coming of an 
angel, who at a certain time 
troubled the water ; and who- 
soever first after the troubling of 
the water, stepped in, was made 
whole of whatsoever disease he 
had. 

15 And when Jesus saw me 
languishing there, he said to me, 
Wilt thou be made whole 1 And 
I answered, Sir, I have no man, 
when the water is troubled, to 
put me into the pool. 

16 And he said unto me, 
Rise, Take up thy bed, and 
walk. And I was immediately 
made whole, and took up my 
bed, and walked. 6 

17 The Jews then said to Pi- 
late, Our lord governor, pray ask 
him what day it was on which 
he was cured of his infirmity. 

18 The infirm person replied, 
It was on the Sabbath. 

19 The Jews said to Pilate. 
Did we not say that he wrought 

4 Exod. viii. 18, &c. 

5 Acts v. 35. An allusion to Gamaliel's 
speech. 

6 John v. 1, 2, &c. 



and others testify 



NICODEMUS. 



of his miracles. 



his cures on the Sabbath, and 
cast out devils by the prince of 
devils? 

20 Then another certain 1 Jew 
came forth, and said, I was blind, 
could hear sounds, but could not 
see any one ; and as Jesus was 
going along, I heard the multi- 
tude passing by, and I asked 
what was there. 

21 They told me that Jesus 
was passing by : then I cried out, 
saying, Jesus, Son of David, 
have mercy upon me. And he 
stood still, and commanded 
that I should be brought to 
him, and said to me, What wilt 
thou? 

22 I said, Lord, that I may 
receive my sight. 

23 He said to me, Receive 
thy sight ; and presently I saw, 
and followed him, rejoicing and 
giving thanks. 

24 Another Jew also came 
forth, and said," 2 I was a leper, 
and he cured me by his word 
only, saying, I will, be thou 
clean ; and presently I was 
cleansed from my leprosy. 

25 And another Jew came 
forth, and said, I was crooked, 
and he made me straight by his 
word. 3 

28 ft And a certain woman 
named Veronica, said, 4 I was 
afflicted with an issue of blood 
twelve years, and I touched the 
hem of his garment, and pres- 
ently the issue of my blood stop- 
ped. 

» Mark x. 46. 

2 Matt. viii. 3, Sec. 

3 Luke xiii. 11, &c. 

4 Matt. ix. 20, &c. See concerning 
this woman called Veronica, on whom this 
miracle was performed 5 and the statue 



27 The Jews then said, We 
have a law, that a woman shall 
not be allowed as an evidence. 

28 And, after other things, 
another Jew said, 5 I saw Jesus 
invited to a wedding with his 
disciples, and there was a want 
of wine in Cana of Galilee ; 

29 And when the wine was 
all drank, he commanded the 
servants that they should fill six 
pots which were there with wa- 
ter, and they filled them up to 
the brim, and he blessed them, 
and turned the water into wine ; 
and all the people drank, being 
surprised at this miracle. 

30 And another Jew stood 
forth, and said, 6 I saw Jesus 
teaching in the synagogue at 
Capernaum ; and there was in 
the synagogue a certain man 
who had a devil ; and he cried 
out, saying, Let me alone ; what 
have we to do with thee, Jesus 
of Nazareth? Art thou come 
to destroy us ? I know that thou 
art the Holy One of God. 

31 And Jesus rebuked him, 
saying, Hold thy peace, unclean 
spirit, and come out of the man ; 
and presently he came out of 
him, and did not at all hurt him. 

32 The following things were 
also said by a Pharisee ; I saw 
that a great company came to 
Jesus from Galilee and Judasa, 
and the sea-coast, and many 
countries about Jordan; and 
many infirm persons came to 
him, and he healed them all. 7 

which she erected to the honour of Christ, 
in Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 7. c. 18. 

5 John ii. 1, &c. 
e Luke iv. 33, &c. 
7 Mark iv. 24. 

57 



Christ's death 



NICODEMUS. 



demanded by 



33 And I heard the unclean 
spirits crying out, and saying, 1 
Thou art the Son of God. And 
Jesus strictly charged them, 
that they should not make him 
known. 

34 tf After this, another per- 
son, whose name was Centurio, 
said, 2 1 saw Jesus in Capernaum, 
and I entreated him, saying, 
Lord, my servant lieth at home 
sick of the palsy. 

35 And Jesus said to me, I 
will come and cure him. 

38 But I said, Lord, I am not 
worthy that thou shouldest come 
under my roof; but only speak 
the word, and my servant shall 
be healed. 

37 And Jesus said unto me, 
Go thy way ; and as thou hast 
believed, so be it done unto thee. 
And my servant was healed from 
that same hour. 

38 Then a certain nobleman 
said, I had a son in Capernaum, 
who lay at the point of death ; 
and when I heard that Jesus was 
come into Galilee, I went and 
besought him that he would 
come down to my house, and 
heal my son, for he was at the 
point of death. 

39 He said to me, Go thy way, 
thy son liveth. 

40 And my son was cured 
from that hour. 

41 Besides these, also many 
others of the Jews, both men and 
women, cried out and said, He is 
truly the Son of God, who cures 
all diseases only by his word, and 
to whom the devils are altogether 
subject. 

1 Mark iii. 11. 

2 Matt. viii. 5, &c. 

58 



42 Some of them further said, 
This power can proceed from 
none but God. 

43 Pilate said to the Jews, 
Why are not the devils subject 
to your doctors ? 

44 Some of them said, The 
power of subjecting devils can- 
not proceed but from God. 

45 But others said to Pilate, 
That he had 3 raised Lazarus 
from the dead, after he had been 
four days in his grave. 

46 The governor hearing this, 
trembling, said to the multitude 
of the Jews, What will it profit 
you to shed innocent blood 1 

CHAP. VI. 

1 Pilate dismayed by the turbulence of the 
Jews, 5 who demand Barabbas to be releas- 
ed, and Christ to be crucified. 9 Pilate 
warmly expostulates with them, 20 washes 
his hands of Christ's blood, 23 and sentences 
him to be whipped and crucified. 

THEN Pilate, having called 
together Nicodemus, and 
the fifteen men who said that Je- 
sus was not born through forni- 
cation, said to them, What shall 
I do, seeing there is like to be a 
tumult among the people ?* 

2 They say unto him, We 
know not ; let them look to it 
who raise the tumult. 

3 Pilate then called the mul- 
titude again, and said to them, 
Ye know that ye have a custom, 
that I should release to you one 
prisoner at the feast of the pass- 
over : 

4 I have a noted prisoner, a 
murderer, who is called Barab- 
bas, and Jesus who is called 
Christ, in whom I find nothing 
that deserves death : which of 

3 John xi. 1, &c. 

4 Matt, xxvii. 24. 



the Jews. Pilate 



NICODEMUS. expostulates with them. 



them therefore have you a mind 
that I should release to you ? x 

5 They all cry out, and say, 
Release to us Barabbas. 

6 Pilate saith to them, What 
then shall I do with Jesus who 
is'called Christ? 

7 They all answer, Let him 
be crucified. 

8 Again they cry out and say 
to Pilate, You are not the friend 
of Caesar, if you release this 
man ; 2 for he hath declared that 
he is the Son of God, and a king. 
But are you inclined that he 
should be king, and not Caesar ? 

9 Then Pilate, filled with an- 
ger, said to them, Your nation 
hath always been seditious, and 
you are always against those 
who have been serviceable to 
you. 

10 The Jews replied, Who 
are those who have been service- 
able to us ? 

11 Pilate answered them, Your 
God who delivered you from the 
hard bondage of the Egyptians, 
and brought you over the Red 
Sea, as though it had been dry 
land, and fed you in the wilder- 
ness with manna and the flesh 
of quails, and brought water out 
of the rock, and gave you a law 
from heaven ; 

12 Ye provoked him always, 
and desired for yourselves a mol- 
ten calf, and worshipped it, and 
sacrificed to it, and said, These 
are thy gods, Israel, which 
brought thee out of the land of 
Egypt ! 

13 On account of which, your 
God was inclined to destroy you ; 

1 Matt, xxvii. 21, &C. 
* John xix. 12. 



but Moses interceded for you, 
and your God heard him, and 
forgave your iniquity. 

14 Afterwards ye were en- 
raged against, and would have 
killed your prophets, Moses and 
Aaron, when they fled to the tab- 
ernacle, and ye were always mur- 
muring against God and his 
prophets. 

15 And arising from his judg- 
ment-seat, he would have gone 
out ; but the Jews all cried out, 
We acknowledge Caesar to be 
king, and not Jesus. 

16 Whereas this person, as 
soon as he was born, the wise 
men came and offered gifts unto 
him ; which when Herod heard, 
he was exceedingly troubled, 
and would have killed him. 

17 When his father knew this, 
he fled with him and his mother 
Mary into Egypt. Herod, when 
he heard he was born, would 
have slain him ; and accordingly 
sent and slew all the children 
which were in Bethlehem, and 
in all the coasts thereof, from two 
years old and under. 3 

18 When Pilate heard this 
account, he was afraid ; and com- 
manding silence among the peo- 
ple, who made a noise, he said 
to Jesus, Art thou therefore a 
king? 

19 All the Jews replied to Pi- 
late, He is the very person whom 
Herod sought to have slain. 

20 Then Pilate, taking water, 
washed his hands before the peo- 
ple, and said, I am innocent of 
the blood of this just person; 
look ye to it. 4 

» Matt. ii. 

* Matt, xxvii. 24, &c 

59 



Christ's 



NICODEMUS. 



crucifixion. 



21 The Jews answered and 
said, His blood be upon us and 
our children. 

22 Then Pilate commanded 
Jesus to be brought before him, 
and spake to him in the follow- 
ing words : 

23 Thy own nation hath 
charged thee as making thyself 
a king ; wherefore I, Herod, sen- 
tence thee to be whipped accord- 
ing to the laws of former gov- 
ernors; and that thou be first 
bound, then hanged upon a cross 
in that place where thou art now 
a prisoner ; and also two crimi- 
nals with thee, whose names are 
Dimas and Gestas. 

CHAP. VII. 

Manner of Christ's crucifixion with the two 
thieves. 

THEN Jesus went out of the 
hall, and the two thieves 
with him ; 

2 And when they came to the 
place which is called Golgotha, 1 
they stript him of his raiment, 
and girt him about with a linen 
cloth, and put a crown of thorns 
upon his head, and put a reed 
in his hand. 

3 And in like manner did 
they to the two thieves who were 
crucified with him, Dimas on his 
right hand, and Gestas on his 
left. 

4 But Jesus said, My Father, 
forgive them ; for they know not 
what they do. 

5 And they divided his gar- 
ments, and upon his vesture they 
cast lots. 

6 The people in the mean- 

» Matt, xxvii. 33. 
60 



time stood by, and the chief 
priests and elders of the Jews 
mocked him, saying, He saved 
others, let him now save himself 
if he can ; if he be the Son of 
God, let him now come down 
from the cross. 

7 The soldiers also mocked 
him, and taking vinegar and 
gall, offered it to him to drink, 
and said to him, If thou art 
king of the Jews, deliver thy- 
self. 

8 Then Longinus, a certain 
soldier, taking a spear, 2 pierced 
his side, and presently there 
came forth blood and water. 

9 And Pilate wrote the title 
upon the cross in Hebrew, Latin, 
and Greek letters, viz. this is the 
king of the Jews. 3 

10 But one of the two thieves 
who were crucified with Jesus, 
whose name was Gestas, said to 
Jesus, If thou art the Christ, de- 
liver thyself and us. 

11 But the thief who was cru- 
cified on his right hand, whose 
name was Dimas, answering, 
rebuked him, and said, Dost not 
thou fear God, who art con- 
demned to this punishment ? We 
indeed receive rightly and justly 
the demerit of our actions ; but 
this Jesus, What evil hath he 
done? 

12 After this, groaning, he 
said to Jesus, Lord, remember 
me when thou comest into thy 
kingdom. 

13 Jesus answering, said to 
him, Verily I say unto thee, that 
this day thou shalt be with me 
in Paradise. 

2 John xix. 34. ^-jj 

3 John xix. 19. 



and his 



NICODEMUS. 



body buried* 



CHAP. VIII. 



1 Miraculous appearances at his death. 10 
The Jews say the eclipse was natural. 12 
Joseph of Arimathsea embalms Christ's body, 
and buries it. 

AND it was about the sixth 
hour, 1 and darkness was 
upon the face of the whole earth 
until the ninth hour. 

2 And while the sun was 
eclipsed, behold the vail of the 
temple was rent from the top to 
the bottom ; and the rocks also 
were rent, and the graves open- 
ed, and many bodies of saints, 
which slept, arose. 

3 And about the ninth hour 
Jesus cried out with a loud 
voice, saying, Hely, Hely, lama 
zabathani ? which, being inter- 
preted, is, My God, My God, 
why hast thou forsaken me 1 

4 And after these things, Je- 
sus said, Father, into thy hands 
I commend my spirit ; and hav- 
ing said this, he gave up the 
ghost. . ' 

5 But when the centurion 
saw that Jesus, thus crying out, 
gave up the ghost, he glorified 
God, and said, Of a truth this 
was a just man. 

6 And all the people who 
stood by, were exceedingly trou- 
bled at the sight ; and, reflect- 
ing upon what had passed, smote 
upon their breasts, and then 
returned to the city of Jeru- 
salem. 

7 The centurion went to the 
governor, and related to him all 
that had passed ; 

8 And when he had heard all 
these things, he was exceeding 
sorrowful ; 

1 Matt, xxvii. 45, &c. 

6 



9 And calling the Jews to- 
gether, said to them, Have ye 
seen the miracle of the sun's 
eclipse, and the other things 
which came to pass, while Jesus 
was dying ? 

10 Which when the Jews 
heard, they answered to the gov- 
ernor, The eclipse of the sun 
happened according to its usual 
custom. 

11 But all those who were the 
acquaintance of Christ, stood at 
a distance, as did the women 
who had followed Jesus from 
Galilee, observing all these 
things. 

12 And 2 behold a certain man 
of Arimathaea, named Joseph, 
who also was a disciple of Jesus, 
but not openly so, for fear of the 
Jews, came to the governor, and 
entreated the governor, that he 
would give him leave to take 
away the body of Jesus from the 
cross. 

13 And the governor gave 
him leave. 

14 And Nicodemus came, 
bringing with him a mixture of 
myrrh and aloes, about a hun- 
dred pound weight; and they 
took down Jesus from the cross 
with tears, and bound him in 
linen clothes with spices, accord- 
ing to the custom of burying 
among the Jews, 

15 And placed him in a new 
tomb, which Joseph had built, 
and caused to be cut out of a 
rock, in which never any man 
had been put ; and they rolled a 
great stone to the door of the 
sepulchre. 

2 John xix. 38. 

61 



Joseph of Arimathaa NICODEMUS. 



imprisoned. 



CHAP. IX. 

1 The Jews angry with Nicodemus ; 5 and 
with Joseph of Arimathaea, 7 whom they 
imprison. 

WHEN the unjust Jews 
heard that Joseph had 
begged and buried the body of 
Jesus, they sought after Nicode- 
mus, and those fifteen men who 
had testified before the governor, 
that Jesus was not born through 
fornication, and other good per- 
sons, who had shown any good 
actions towards him. 

2 But when they all concealed 
themselves through fear of the 
Jews, Nicodemus alone showed 
himself to them, and said, How 
can such persons as these enter 
into the synagogue ? 

3 The Jews answered him, 
But how durst thou enter into 
the synagogue, who wast a con- 
federate with Christ? Let thy 
lot be along with him in the 
other world. 

4 Nicodemus answered, Amen ; 
so may it be, that I may have my 
lot with him in his kingdom. 

5 In like manner Joseph, 
when he came to the Jews, said 
to them, Why are ye angry 
with me for desiring the body of 
Jesus of Pilate? Behold, I have 
put him in my tomb, and wrap- 
ped him up in clean linen, and 
put a stone at the door of the 
sepulchre : 

6 I have acted rightly towards 
him ; but ye have acted unjustly 
against that just person, in cru- 
cifying him, giving him vinegar 
to drink, crowning him with 
thorns, tearing his body with 
whips, and prayed down the 
guilt of his blood upon you. 

62 



7 The Jews at the hearing of 
this were disquieted and trou- 
bled ; and they seized Joseph, 
and commanded him to be put 
in custody before the sabbath, 
and kept there till the sabbath 
was over. 

8 And they said to him, Make 
confession ; for at this time it is 
not lawful to do thee any harm, 
till the first day of the week come. 
But we know that thou wilt not 
be thought worthy of a burial ; 
but we will give thy flesh to the 
birds of the air, and the beasts 
of the earth. 

9 Joseph answered, That 
speech is like the speech of proud 
Goliath, who reproached the liv- 
ing God in speaking against Da- 
vid. But ye scribes and doctors 
know, that God saith by the 
prophet, Vengeance is mine, and 
I will repay to you 1 evil equal to 
that which ye have threatened to 
me. 

10 The God whom you have 
hanged upon the cross, is able 
to deliver me out of your hands. 
All your wickedness will return 
upon you. 

11 For the governor, when he 
washed his hands, said, I am 
clear from the blood of this just 
person. But ye answered and 
cried out, His blood be upon us 
and our children. According 
as ye have said, may ye perish 
for ever. 

12 The elders of the Jews, 
hearing these words, were ex- 
ceedingly enraged ; and seizing 
Joseph, they put him into a 
chamber where there was no 

1 Deut. xxxii. 35. Heb. x. 30. 



Christ's 



NICODEMUS. 



resurrection. 



window ; they fastened the door, 
and put a seal upon the lock ; 

13 And Annas and Caiaphas 
placed a guard about it, and took 
counsel with the priests and Le- 
vites, that they should all meet 
after the sabbath, and they con- 
trived to what death they should 
put Joseph. 

14 When they had done this, 
the rulers, Annas and Caiaphas, 
order Joseph to be brought forth. 
ft In this place there is a portion 

of the Gospel lost or omitted, 
which cannot be supplied. 

CHAP. X. 

1 Joseph's escape. 2 The soldiers relate 
Christ's resurrection. 18 Christ is seen 
preaching in Galilee. 21 The Jews repent 
cf their cruelty to him. 

HEN all the assembly 
heard this, they admired 
and were astonished, because 
they found the same seal upon 
the lock of the chamber, and 
could not find Joseph. 

2 Then Annas and Caiaphas 
went forth, and while they were 
all admiring at Joseph's being 
gone, behold one of the soldiers, 
who kept the sepulchre of Jesus, 
spake in the assembly, 

3 : That while they " were 
guarding the sepulchre of Jesus, 
there was an earthquake ; and 
we saw an angel of God roll 
away the stone of the sepulchre, 
and 2 sit upon it ; 

4 And his countenance was like 
lightning, and his garment like 
snow ; and we became through 
fear like persons dead. 

5 And we heard an angel say- 
ing to the women at the sepul- 
chre of Jesus, Do not fear ; I 

i Matt, xxviii. 11, 1% &e. 



know that you seek Jesus, who 
was crucified ; he is risen, as he 
foretold. • 

6 Come and see the place 
where he was laid ; and go pres- 
ently, and tell his disciples that 
he is risen from the dead, and 
he will go before you into Gali- 
lee ; there ye shall see him, as 
he told you. 

7 Then the Jews called to- 
gether all the soldiers who kept 
the sepulchre of Jesus, and said 
to them, Who are those women 
to whom the angel spoke 1 Why 
did ye not seize them I 

8 The soldiers answered and 
said, We know not who the wo- 
men were ; besides, we became 
as dead persons through fear, 
and how could we seize those 
women 1 

9 The Jews said to them, As 
the Lord liveth, we do not be- 
lieve you. 

10 The soldiers answering, 
said to the Jews, When ye saw 
and heard Jesus working so 
many miracles, and did not be- 
lieve him, how should ye believe 
us ? Ye well said, As the Lord 
liveth, for the Lord truly does 
live. 

11 We have heard that ye 
shut up Joseph, who buried the 
body of Jesus, in a chamber, un- 
der a lock which was sealed ; 
and when ye opened it, found 
him not there. 

12 Do ye then produce Joseph, 
whom ye put under guard in the 
chamber, and we will produce 
Jesus, whom we guarded in the 
sepulchre. 

13 The Jews answered and 

2 Matt, xxviii. 1, 2, &c. 

63 



Christ preaches 



NICODEMUS. 



in Galilee. 



said, We will produce Joseph, 
do ye produce Jesus. But Jo- 
seph is in his own city of Ari- 
matha^a. 

14 The soldiers replied, If 
Joseph be in Arimathaea, and 
Jesus in Galilee, we heard the 
angel inform the women. 

15 The Jew's, hearing this, 
were afraid, and said among 
themselves, If by any means 
these things should become pub- 
lic, then every body will believe 
in Jesus. 

16 Then they gathered a large 
sum of money, and gave it to the 
soldiers, saying, Do ye tell the 
people that the disciples of Jesus 
came in the night, when ye were 
asleep, and stole away the body 
of Jesus ; and if Pilate the gov- 
ernor should hear of this, we will 
satisfy him and secure you. 

17 The soldiers accordingly 
took the money, and said as they 
were instructed by the Jews ; 
and their report was spread 
abroad among all the people. 

18 fi But a certain priest, Phi- 
nees, Ada, a schoolmaster, and 
a Levite, named Agues, they 
three came from Galilee to Jeru- 
salem, and told the chief priests 
and all who were in the syna- 
gogues, saying, 

19 We have seen Jesus, whom 
ye crucified, talking with his 
eleven disciples, and sitting in 
the midst of them in mount Oli- 
vet, and saying to them, 1 

20 Go forth into the whole 
world, preach the gospel to all 
nations, baptizing them in the 
name of the Father, and the Son, 
and the Holy Ghost; and who 

1 Matt, jcxviii. 16, and Mark xvi. 16. 

64 



soever shall believe and be bap- 
tized, shall be saved. 

21 And when he had said 
these things to his disciples, we 
saw him ascending up to heaven. 

22 When the chief priests, 
and elders, and Levites, heard 
these things, they said to these 
three men, Give glory to the God 
of Israel, and make confession 
to him, whether those things are 
true, which ye say ye have seen 
and heard. 

23 They answering, said, As 
the Lord of our fathers liveth, 
the God of Abraham, and the 
God of Isaac, and the God of Ja- 
cob, according as we heard Jesus 
talking with his disciples, and 
according as we saw him as- 
cending up to heaven, so we 
have related the truth to you. 

24 And the three men fur- 
ther answered and said, adding 
these words, If we should not 
own the words which we heard 
Jesus speak, and that we saw 
him ascending into heaven, we 
should be guilty of sin. 

25 Then the chief priests 
immediately rose up, and hold- 
ing the book of the law in their 
hands, conjured those men, say- 
ing, Ye shall no more hereafter 
ever declare those things which 
ye have spoke concerning Jesus. 

26 And they gave them a 
large sum of money, and sent 
other persons along with them, 
who should conduct them to 
their own country, that they 
might not by any means make 
any stay at Jerusalem. 

27 Then the Jews did assem- 
ble all together, and having ex- 
pressed the most lamentable 



Nicodemus 



NICODEMUS. 



counsels the Jeics. 



concern, said, What is this ex- 
traordinary thing which is come 
to pass in Jerusalem 1 

28 But Annas and Caiaphas 
comforted them, saying, Why 
should we believe the soldiers 
who guarded the sepulchre of 
Jesus, in telling us, that an an- 
gel rolled aAvay the stone from 
the door of the sepulchre 1 

29 Perhaps his own disciples 
told them this, and gave them 
money that they should say so, 
and they themselves took away 
the body of Jesus. 

30 Besides, consider this, that 
there is no credit to be given to 
foreigners, 1 because they also 
took a large sum of us, and they 
have declared to us according 
to the instructions which we 
gave them. They must either 
be faithful to us or to the disciples 
of Jesus. 

CHAP. XI. 

1 Nicodemu3 counsels the Jews. 6 Joseph 
found. 11 Invited by the Jews to return. 
19 Relates the manner of his miraculous 
escape. 

THEN Nicodemus arose, 
and said, Ye say right, O 
sons of Israel, ye have heard 
what those three men have 
swore by the law of God, who 
said, We have seen Jesus speak- 
ing with his disciples upon 
mount Olivet, and we saw him 
ascending up to heaven. 

2 And the scripture teacheth 
us that the blessed prophet Eli- 
jah was taken up to heaven ; and 
Elisha being asked by the sons 
of the prophets, Where is our 
father Elijah 1 he said to them, 
that he is taken up to heaven. 

1 Heathens. 

6* 



3 And the sons of the proph- 
ets said to him, Perhaps the 
spirit hath carried him into one 
of the mountains of Israel; 
there perhaps we shall find 
him. And they besought Elisha, 
and he walked about with them 
three days, and they could not 
find him. 

4 And now hear me, O sons 
of Israel, and let us send men 
into the mountains of Israel, lest 
perhaps the spirit hath carried 
away Jesus; and there perhaps 
we shall find him, and be satis- 
fied. 

5 And the counsel of Nico- 
demus pleased all the people; 
and they sent forth men who 
sought for Jesus, but could not 
find him ; and they, returning, 
said, We went all about, but 
could not find Jesus ; but we have 
found Joseph in his city of Ari- 
mathsea. 

6 The rulers, hearing this, 
and all the people, were glad, 
and praised the God of Israel, 
because Joseph was found, 
whom they had shut up in a 
chamber, and could not find. 

7 And when they had formed 
a large assembly, the chief 
priests said, By what means 
shall we bring Joseph to us to 
speak with him ? 

8 And taking a piece of pa- 
per, they wrote to him, and said, 
Peace be with thee, and all thy 
family. We know that we have 
offended against God and thee. 
Be pleased to give a visit to us 
your fathers, for we were per- 
fectly surprised at your escape 
from prison. 

9 We know that it was ma- 

65 



Joseph relates the 



NICODEMUS. manner of his escape. 



licious counsel which we took 
against thee, and that the Lord 
took care of thee, and the Lord 
himself delivered thee from our 
designs. Peace be unto thee, 
Joseph, who art honourable 
among all the people. 

10 And they chose seven of 
Joseph's friends, and said to 
them, When ye come to Joseph, 
salute him in peace, and give 
him this letter. 

11 Accordingly, when the 
men came to Joseph, they did 
salute him in peace, and gave 
him the letter. 

12 And when Joseph had 
read it, he said, Blessed be the 
Lord God, who didst deliver me 
from the Israelites, that they 
could not shed my blood. Bless- 
ed be God, who hast protected 
me under thy wings. 

13 And Joseph kissed them, 
and took them into his house. 
And on the morrow, Joseph 
mounted his ass, and went along 
with them to Jerusalem. 

14 And when all the Jews 
heard these things, they went 
out to meet him, and cried out, 
saying, Peace attend thy coming 
hither, father Joseph. 

15 To which he answered, 
Prosperity from the Lord attend 
all the people. 

16 And they all kissed him ; 
and Nicodemus took him to his 
house, having provided a large 
entertainment. 

17 Buton the morrow, being a 
preparation-day, Annas, and Cai- 
aphas,and Nicodemus, said to Jo- 
seph, Make confession to the God 
of Israel,and answer to us all those 
questions which we shall ask thee; 



18 For we have been very 
much troubled, that thou didst 
bury the body of Jesus; and 
that when we had locked thee 
in a chamber, we could not find 
thee ; and we have been afraid 
ever since, till this time of thy 
appearing among us. Tell us, 
therefore, before God, all that 
came to pass. 

19 Then Joseph answering, 
said, Ye did indeed put me un- 
der confinement, on the day of 
preparation, till the morning. 

20 But while I was standing 
at prayer in the middle of the 
night, the house was surrounded 
with four angels ; and I saw Je- 
sus as the brightness of the sun, 
and fell down upon the earth for 
fear. 

21 But Jesus, laying hold on 
my hand, lifted me from the 
ground, and the dew was then 
sprinkled upon me ; but he, wip- 
ing my face, kissed me, and 
said unto me, Fear not, Joseph ; 
look upon me, for it is I. 

22 Then I looked upon him, 
and said, Rabboni, Elias ! He 
answered me, I am not Elias, 
but Jesus of Nazareth, whose 
body thou didst bury. 

23 I said to him, Show me 
the tomb in which I laid thee. 

24 Then Jesus, taking me by 
the hand, led me unto the place 
where I laid him, and showed 
me the linen clothes, and nap- 
kin which I put round his head. 
Then I knew that it was Jesus, 
and worshipped him, and said, 
Blessed be he who cometh in 
the name of the Lord. 

25 Jesus, again taking me by 
the hand, led me to Arimathsea, 



Tlie Jews 



NICODEMUS. 



dismayed. 



to my own house, and said to 
me, Peace be to thee ; but go 
not out of thy house till the for- 
tieth day ; but I must go to my 
disciples. 

CHAP. XII. 

1 The Jews astonished and confounded. 14 
.Simeon's two sons, Charinus and Lenthjus, 
rise from the dead at Christ's crucifixion. 
19 Joseph proposes to get them to relate the 
mysteries of their resurrection. 21 They 
lire sought and found, 22 brought to the syn- 
agogue, 23 privately sworn to secrecy, 25 
and undertake to write what they had seen. 

WHEN the chief priests and 
Levites heard all these 
things, they were astonished, and 
fell down with their faces on the 
ground as dead men, and crying 
out to one another, said, What 
is this extraordinary sign which 
is come to pass in Jerusalem? 
We know the father and mother 
of Jesus. 

2 And a certain Levite said, 
I know many of his relations, 
religious persons, who are wont 
to offer sacrifices and burnt-of- 
ferings to the God of Israel, in 
the temple with prayers. 

3 And when the high-priest 
Simeon took him up in his arms, 
he said to him, 1 Lord, now let- 
test thou thy servant depart in 
peace, according to thy word ; 
for mine eyes have seen thy sal- 
vation, which thou hast prepared 
before the face of all people ; a 
light to enlighten the Gentiles, 
and the glory of thy people Israel. 

4 Simeon in like manner 
blessed Mary the mother of Je- 
sus, and said to her, I declare to 
thee concerning that child ; He 
is appointed for the fall and ris- 
ing again of many, and for a sign 
which shall be spoken against. 

i Luke ii. 29. 



5 Yea, a sword shall pierce 
through thine own soul also, and 
the thoughts of many hearts shall 
be revealed. 

6 Then said all the Jews, Let 
us send to those three men, who 
said they saw him talking with 
his disciples in mount Olivet. 

7 After this, they asked them 
what they* had seen : who an- 
swered with one accord, In the 
presence of the God of Israel we 
affirm, that we plainly saw Jesus 
talking with his disciples in 
mount Olivet, and ascending up 
to heaven. 

8 Then Annas and Caiaphas 
took them into separate places, 
and examined them separately ; 
who unanimously confessed the 
truth, and said, they had seen 
Jesus. 

9 Then Annas and Caiaphas 
said, Our law saith, By the mouth 
of two or three witnesses every 
word shall be established. 2 

10 But what have we said 1 
The blessed Enoch pleased God, 
and was translated by the word 
of God ; and the bury ing-pl ace of 
the blessed Moses is not known. 

11 But Jesus was delivered 
to Pilate, whipped, crowned with 
thorns, spit upon, pierced with a, 
spear, crucified, died upon the 
cross, and was buried, and his 
body the honourable Joseph 
buried in a new sepulchre, and 
he testifies that he saw hira 
alive ; 

12 And besides, these men 
have declared, that they saw him 
talking with his disciples in 
mount Olivet, and ascending up 
to heaven. 

2 Deut. xvii. 6. 

67 



Resurrection of 



NICODEMUS. 



Simeon's sons. 



13 fl Then Joseph, rising up, 
said to Annas and Caiaphas, Ye 
may be justly under a great sur- 
prise, that you have been toid, 
that Jesus is alive, and gone up 
to heaven. 

14 It is indeed a thing really 
surprising, that he should not 
only himself arise from the dead, 
but also raise others* from their 
graves, who have been seen by 
many in Jerusalem. 1 

15 And now hear me a little : 
We all knew the blessed Sim- 
eon, the high-priest, who took 
Jesus when an infant into his 
arms in the temple. 

16 This same Simeon had 
two sons of his own, and we were 
all present at their death and fu- 
neral. 

17 Go therefore and see their 
tombs, for these are open, and 
they are risen ; and behold, they 
are in the city of Arimathaea, 
spending their time together in 
offices of devotion. 

18 Some, indeed, have heard 
the sound of their voices in prayer, 
but they will not discourse with 
any one, but they continue as 
mute as dead men. 

19 But come, let us go to 
them, and behave ourselves to- 
wards them with all due respect 
and caution. And if we can 
bring them to swear, perhaps 
they will tell us some of the mys- 
teries of their resurrection. 

20 When the Jews heard this, 
they were exceedingly rejoiced. 

21 Then Annas and Caiaphas, 
Nicodemus, Joseph and Gama- 
liel, went to Arimathsea, but did 
not find them in their graves; 

1 Matt, xxvii. 53. 

G8 



but walking about the city, they 
found them on their bended 
knees at their devotions ; 

22 Then saluting them with 
all respect and deference to God, 
they brought them to the syna- 
gogue at Jerusalem ; and having 
shut the gates, they took the 
book of the Law of the Lord, 

23 And putting it in their 
hands, swore them by God Ado- 
nai, and the God of Israel, who 
spake to our fathers by the law 
and the prophets, saying, If ye 
believe him who raised you from 
the dead, to be Jesus, tell us what 
ye have seen, and how ye were 
raised from the dead. 

24 Charinus and Lenthius, 
the two sons of Simeon, trem- 
bled when they heard these 
things, and were disturbed, and 
groaned ; and at the same time 
looking up to heaven, they made 
the sign of the cross with their 
fingers on their tongues, 

25 And immediately they 
spake, and said, Give each of us 
some paper, and we will write 
down for you all those things 
which we have seen. And they 
each sat down and wrote, saying, 

CHAP. XIII. 

1 The narrative of Charinus and Lenthius 
commences, 3 A great light in hell. 7 
Simeon arrives, and announces the coming 
of Christ. 

LORD Jesus and Father, 
who art God, also the resur- 
rection and life of the dead, give 
us leave to declare thy mysteries, 
which we saw after death, be- 
longing to thy cross; for we 
are sworn by thy name. 

2 For thou hast forbid thy 
servants to declare the secret 



Great light 



NICODEMUS. 



in hell. 



things, which were wrought by 
thy divine power in hell. 

3 fl When we were placed 
with our fathers in the depth of 
hell, in the blackness of dark- 
ness, on a sudden there appear- 
ed the colour of the sun like 
gold, and a substantial purple- 
coloured light enlightening the 
place. 

4 Presently upon this, Adam, 
the father of all mankind, with 
all the patriarchs and prophets, 
rejoiced and said, That light is 
the author of everlasting light, 
who hath promised to translate 
us to everlasting light. 

5 Then Isaiah the prophet 
cried out, and said, 1 This is the 
light of the Father, and the Son 
of God, according to my prophe- 
cy when I was alive upon earth. 

6 The land of Zabulon, and 
the land of Nephthalim beyond 
Jordan, a people who walked in 
darkness, saw a great light; and 
to them who dwelled in the re- 
gion of the shadow of death, 
light is arisen. And now he is 
come, and hath enlightened us 
who sat in death. 

7 And while we are all re- 
joicing in the light which shone 
upon us, our father Simeon 
came among us, and congratu- 
lating all the company, said, 
Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, 
the Son of God. 

8 Whom I took up in my 
arms when an infant in the tem- 
ple, and being moved by the 
Holy Ghost, said to him, and 
acknowledged, 2 That now mine 
eyes have seen thy salvation, 
which thou hast prepared before 

1 Isaiah ix. 1. Matt. iv. 16. 



the face of all people ; a light to 
enlighten the Gentiles, and the 
glory of thy people Israel. 

9 All the saints who were in 
the depth of hell, hearing this, 
rejoiced the more. 

10 Afterwards there came 
forth one like a little hermit, 
and was asked by every one, 
Who art thou ? 

11 To which he replied, I 
am the voice of one crying in 
the wilderness, John the Baptist, 
and the prophet of the Most 
High, who went before his com- 
ing to prepare his way, to give 
the knowledge of salvation to his 
people for the forgiveness of 
sins. 

12 And I John, when I saw 
Jesus coming to me, being mov- 
ed by the Holy Ghost, I said, 
Behold the Lamb of God, be- 
hold him who takes away the 
sins of the world. 

13 And I baptized him in the 
river Jordan, and saw the Holy 
Ghost descending upon him in 
the form of a dove, and heard 
a voice from heaven, saying, 
This is my beloved Son, in whom 
I am well pleased. 

14 And now while I was go- 
ing before him, I came down 
hither to acquaint you, that the 
Son of God will next visit us, 
and as the day-spring from on 
high will come to us, who are in 
darkness and the shadow of 
death. 

CHAP. XIV. 

1 Adam causes Seth to relate what he heard 
from Michael the archangel, when he sent 
him to Paradise to entreat God to anoint 
his head in his sickness. 

' 2 Luke ii, 29. 

69 



Seth relates 



NICODEMUS. MicliaeTs prophecy. 



BUT when the first man our 
father Adam heard these 
things, that Jesus was baptized 
in Jordan, 1 he called out to his 
son Seth, and said, 

2 Declare to your sons, the 
patriarchs and prophets, all those 
things which thou didst hear 
from Michael the archangel, 
when I sent thee to the gates of 
Paradise, to entreat God that he 
would anoint my head when I 
was sick. 

3 Then Seth, coming near to 
the patriarchs and prophets, said, 
I Seth, when I was praying to 
God at the gates of Paradise, be- 
held the angel of the Lord, Mi- 
chael, appear unto me, saying, 
I am sent unto thee from the 
Lord ; I am appointed to preside 
over human bodies. 

4 I tell thee, Seth, do not 
pray to God in tears, and en- 
treat him for the oil of the tree 
of mercy, wherewith to anoint 
thy father Adam for his head- 
ache ; 

5 Because thou canst not by 
any means obtain it, till the last 
day and times, namely, till five 
thousand and five hundred years 
be past. 

6 Then will Christ, the most 
merciful Son of God, come on 
earth to raise again the human 
body of Adam, and at the same 
time to raise the bodies of the 
dead, and when he cometh he 
will be baptized in Jordan ; 

7 Then with the oil of his 
mercy he will anoint all those 
who believe on him ; and the 
oil of his mercy will continue to 
future generations, for those who 

1 Matt. iii. 13. 

70 



shall be born of the water and 
the Holy Ghost unto eternal life. 

8 And when at that time the 
most merciful Son of God, Christ 
Jesus, shall come down on earth, 
he will introduce our father 
Adam into Paradise, to the tree 
of mercy. 

9 When all the patriarchs 
and prophets heard all these 
things from Seth, they rejoiced 
more. 

CHAP. XV. 

Quarrel between Satan and the prince of hell, 
concerning the expected arrival of Christ 
in hell.2 

WHILE all the saints were 
rejoicing, behold Satan, 
the prince and captain of death, 
said to the prince of hell, 

2 Prepare to receive Jesus of 
Nazareth himself, who boasted 
that he was the Son of God, and 
yet was a man afraid of death, 
and said, 3 My soul is sorrcnvful 
even to death. 

3 Besides, he did many inju- 
ries to me and to many others ; 
for those whom I made blind 
and lame, and those also whom 
I tormented with several devils, 
he cured by his word ; yea, and 
those whom I brought dead to 
thee, he by force takes away 
from thee. 

4 To this the prince of hell 
replied to Satan, Who is that so 
powerful prince, and yet a man 
who is afraid of death ? 

5 For all the potentates of 
the earth are subject to my pow- 
er, whom thou broughtest to sub- 
jection by thy power. 

2 St. Jerome affirms that th '*-' f 
Christ went to hell. 

3 Matt. xxvi. 38. 



Satan and the 



NICODEMUS. prince quarrel. 



6 But if he be so powerful in 
his human nature, I affirm to 
thee for truth, that he is almigh- 
ty in his divine nature, and no 
man can resist his power. 

7 When therefore .he said he 
was afraid of death, he designed 
to ensnare thee, and unhappy it 
will be to thee for everlasting 
ages. 

8 Then Satan replying, said 
to the prince of hell, Why didst 
thou express a doubt, and wast 
afraid to receive that Jesus of 
Nazareth, both thy adversary 
and mine 1 

9 As for mej I tempted him, 
and stirred up my old people the 
Jews with zeal and anger against 
him ; 

10 I sharpened the spear for 
his suffering ; I mixed the gall 
and vinegar, and commanded 
that he should drink it ; I pre- 
pared the cross to crucify him, 
and the nails to pierce through 
his hands and feet ; and now his 
death is near at hand, I will 
bring him hither, subject both 
to thee and me. 

11 Then the prince of hell 
answering, said, Thou saidst to 
me just now, that he took away 
the dead from me by force. 

12 They who have been kept 
here till they should live again 
upon earth, were taken away 
hence, not t>y their own power, 
but by prayers made to God, and 
their almighty God took them 
from me. 

13 Who then is that Jesus of 
Nazareth, 'that by his word hath 
taken away the dead from me 
without prayer to God ? 

14 Perhaps it is the same who 



took away from me Lazarus, af- 
ter he had been four days dead, 
and did both stink and was rot- 
ten, and of whom I had posses- 
sion as a dead person ; yet he 
brought him to life again by his 
power. 

15 Satan answering, replied 
to the prince of hell, It is the 
very same person, Jesus of Naz- 
areth. 

16 Which when the prince of 
hell heard, he said to him, I ad- 
jure thee by the powers which 
belong to thee and me, that thou 
bring him not to me. 

17 For when I heard of the 
power of his word, I trembled 
for fear, and all my impious 
company were at the same 
disturbed ; 

18 And we were not able to 
detain Lazarus, 1 but he gave 
himself a shake, and with all the 
signs of malice, immediately 
went away from us; and the 
very earth, in which the dead 
body of Lazarus was lodged, 
presently turned him out alive. 

19 And I know now that he 
is Almighty God, who could per- 
form such things, who is mighty 
in his dominion, and mighty in 
his human nature, who is the 
Saviour of mankind. 

20 Bring not therefore this 
person hither, for he will set at 
liberty all those whom I hold in 
prison under unbelief, and bound 
with the fetters' of their sins, and 
will conduct them to everlasting 
life. 

CHAP. XVI, 

1 Christ's arrival at hell-gates ; the confusion 
thereupon. 19 He descends into hell. 

1 John xi. 

71 



Christ arrives 



NICODEMUS. 



at hell-gates, 



AND while Satan and the 
prince of hell were dis- 
coursing thus to each other, on 
a sudden there was a voice as of 
thunder and the rushing of 
winds, saying, 1 Lift up your 
gates, O ye princes ; and be ye 
lift up, O everlasting gates, and 
the King of Glory shall come in. 

2 When the prince of hell 
heard this, he said to Satan, 
Depart from me, and begone out 
of my habitations : if thou art a 
powerful warrior, fight with the 
King of Glory. But what hast 
thou to do with him ? 

3 And he cast him forth from 
his habitations. / 

4 And the prince said to his 
impious officers, Shut the brass 
gates of cruelty, and make them 
fast with iron bars, and fight 
courageously, lest we be taken 
captives. 

5 But when all the company 
of the saints heard this, they 
spake with a loud voice of anger 
to the prince of hell, 

6 Open thy gates, that the 
King of Glory may come in. 

7 And the divine prophet 
David cried out, saying, 2 Did 
not I, when on earth, truly proph- 
esy and say, O that men would 
praise the Lord for his goodness, 
and for his wonderful works to 
the children of men ! 

8 For he hath broken the 
gates of brass, and cut the bars 
of iron in sunder. He hath taken 
them because of their iniqui- 
ty, and because of their unright- 
eousness they are afflicted. 

9 After this, another prophet, 3 

- Psalm xxiv. 7, &c. 
p 2 Psalm cvii. 15. &c. 

72 



namely, holy Isaiah, spake in 
like manner to all the saints, 
Did not I rightly prophesy to 
you, when I was alive on earth? 

10 The dead men shall live, 
and they shall rise again who are 
in their graves, and they shall 
rejoice who are in earth ; for 
the dew which is from the Lord, 
shall bring deliverance to them. 

11 And I said in another 
place, O death, where is thy 
victory? O death, where is thy 
sting ? 

12 When all the saints heard 
these things spoken by Isaiah, 
they said to the prince of hell, 4 
Open now thy gates, and take 
away thine iron bars; for thou 
wilt now be bound, and have no 
power. 

13 Then was there a great 
voice, as of the sound of thun- 
der, saying, Lift up your gates, 

princes ; and be ye lifted up, 
ye gates of hell, and the King of 
Glory will enter in. 

14 The prince of hell, per- 
ceiving the same voice repeated, 
cried out, as though he had been 
ignorant, Who is that King of 
Glory ? 

15 David replied to the prince 
of hell, and said, I understand 
the words of that voice, because 

1 spake them by his spirit. And 
now, as I have above said, I say 
unto thee, The Lord strong and 
powerful, the Lord mighty in 
battle ; he is the King of Glory, 
and he is the Lord in heaven 
and in earth ; 

16 He hath looked down to 
hear the groans of the prisoners, 

3 Isaiah xxvi. 19. 

4 Psalm xxiv. 7, &c. 



and the confusion 



NICODEMUS. 



thereo; 



. 



and to set loose those that are 
appointed to death. 1 

17 And now, thou filthy and 
stinking prince of hell, open 
thy gates, that the King of Glo- 
ry may enter in ; for he is the 
Lord of heaven and earth. 

18 While David was saying 
this, the mighty Lord appeared 
in the form of a man, and en- 
lightened those places which had 
ever before been in darkness, 

19 And broke asunder the 
fetters which before could not 
be broken ; and with his invin- 
cible power visited those who sat 
in the deep darkness by iniqui- 
ty, and the shadow of death by 
sin. 2 

CHAP. XVII. 

] Dcatli and the devils in great horror at 
Christ's coming. 13 He tramples on death, 
Beizes the prince of hell, and takes Adam 
with him to heaven. 

IMPIOUS death and her cru- 
el officers, hearing these 
things, were seized with fear in 
their several kingdoms, when 
they saw the clearness of the 
light, 

2 And Christ himself on a 
sudden appearing in their habi- 
tations, they cried out, there- 
fore, and said/ We are bound 
by thee ; thou seemest to intend 
our confusion before the Lord. 

3 Who art thou, who hast no 
signs of corruption, but that 
bright appearance which is a full 
proof of thy greatness, of which 
yet thou seemest to take no no- 
tice ? 

4 Who art thou, so powerful 
and so weak, so great and so 
little, a mean, and yet a soldier 



1 Psalm cii 

7 



19, 20. 



of the first rank, who can com- 
mand in the form of a servant 
as a common soldier 1 

5 The King of Glory dead 
and alive, though once slain 
upon the cross ? 

6 Who layest dead in the 
grave, and art come down alive 
to us, and in thy death all the 
creatures trembled, and all the 
stars were moved, and now hasr 
thy liberty among the dead, and 
givest disturbance to our legions! 

7 Who art thou, who dost 
release the captives that were 
held in chains by original sin, 
and bringest them into their 
former liberty ? 

8 Who art thou, who dost 
spread so glorious and divine a 
light over those who were made 
blind by the darkness of sin 1 

9 In like manner all the le- 
gions of devils were seized with 
the like horror, and with the 
most submissive fear cried out, 
and said, 

10 Whence comes it, O thou 
Jesus Christ, that thou art a 
man so powerful and glorious in 
majesty, so bright as to have no 
spot, and so pure as to have no 
crime ? ' For that lower world 
of earth, which was ever till 
now subject to us, and from 
whence we received tribute, 
never sent us such a dead man 
before, never sent such present.-- 
as these to the princes of hell. 

11 Who therefore art thou, 
who with such courage entered 
among our abodes, and art nor 
only not afraid to threaten us 
with the greatest punishment , 
but also endeavourest to rescue 



2 Lake i. 

TO 



7 ( J 



Hell greatly 



N1CODEMUS. 



disturbed 



all others from the chains in 
which we hold them 1 

12 Perhaps thou art that Je- 
sus, of whom Satan just now 
spake to our prince, that by the 
death of the cross thou wert 
about to receive the power of 
death. 

13 Then the King of Glory, 
trampling upon death, seized 
the prince of hell, deprived him 
of all his power, and took our 
earthly father Adam with him to 
his glory. 

* CHAP. XVIII. 

1 Beelzebub, prince of hel), vehemently up- 
braids Satan for persecuting Christ and 
bringing him to hell. 14 Christ gives 
Beelzebub dominion over Satan for ever, 
as a recompense for taking away Adam 
and his sons. 

THEN the prince of hell 
took Satan, and with great 
indignation said to him, thou 
prince of destruction, author of 
Beelzebub's defeat and banish- 
ment, the scorn of God's angels, 
and loathed by all righteous per- 
sons ! What inclined thee to 
act thus ? 

2 Thou wouldest crucify the 
King of Glory, and by his de- 
struction hast made us promises 
of very large advantages, but as 
a fool wert ignorant of what 
thou wast about. 

3 For behold now that Jesus 
of Nazareth, with the brightness 
of his glorious divinity, puts to 
flight all the horrid powers of 
darkness and death ; 

4 He has broke down our 
prisons from top to bottom, dis- 
missed all the captives, released 
all who were bound, and all who 
were wont formerly to groan un- 
der the weight of their torments, 



have now insulted us, and we 
are like to be defeated by their 
prayers. 

5 Our impious dominions are 
subdued, and no part of mankind 
is now left in our subjection, but 
on the other hand, they all boldly 
defy us; 

6 Though, before, the dead 
never durst behave themselves 
insolently towards us, nor, being 
prisoners, could ever on any oc- 
casion be merry. 

7 fl O Satan, thou prince of 
all the wicked, father of the 
impious and abandoned, why 
wouldest thou attempt this ex- 
ploit, seeing our prisoners were 
hitherto always without the least 
hopes of salvation and life 1 

8 But now there is not one 
of them does ever groan, nor is 
there the least appearance of a 
tear in any of their faces. 

9 O prince Satan, thou great 
keeper of the infernal regions, 
all thy advantages which thou 
didst acquire by the forbidden 
tree, and the loss of Paradise, 
thou hast now lost by the wood 
of the cross ; 

10 And thy happiness all then 
expired, when thou didst crucify 
Jesus Christ the King of Glory. 

11 Thou hast acted against 
thine own interest and mine, as 
thou wilt presently perceive by 
those large torments and infinite 
punishments which thou art 
about to suffer. 

12 O Satan, prince of all evil, 
author of death, and source of 
all pride, thou shouldest first 
have inquired into the evil crimes 
of Jesus of Nazareth, and then 
thou wouldest have found that 



Christ and the 



NICODEMUS. 



saints leave hell. 



he was guilty of no fault worthy 
of death. 

13 Why didst thou venture, 
without either reason or justice, 
to crucify him, and hast brought 
down to our regions a person in- 
nocent and righteous, and there- 
by hast lost all the sinners, im- 
pious and unrighteous persons in 
the whole world ? 

14 While the prince of hell 
was thus speaking to Satan, the 
King of Glory said to Beelzebub, 
the prince of hell, Satan the 
prince shall be subject to thy 
dominion for ever, in the room 
of Adam and his righteous sons, 
who are mine. 

CHAP. XIX. 

Christ takes Adam by the hand, the rest of 
the saints join hands, and they all ascend 
with him to Paradise. 

HEN Jesus stretched forth 
his hand, and said, Come 
to me, all ye my saints, who 
were created in my image, who 
were condemned by the tree of 
the forbidden fruit, and by the 
devil and death ; 

2 Live now by the wood of 
my cross ; the devil, the prince 
of this world, is overcome, and 
death is conquered. / 

3 Then presently all the saints 
were joined together under the 
hand of the most high God ; and 
the Lord Jesus laid hold on 
Adam's hand, and said to him, 
Peace be to thee, and all thy 
righteous posterity ,whieh is mine. 

4 Then Adam, casting him- 
self at the feet of Jesus, address- 
ed himself to him with tears, in 
humble language, and a loud 
voice, saying, 1 

» Psalm «x. 1, &c* 



T 



5 I will extol thee, O Lord, 
for thou hast lifted me up, and 
hast not made my foes to rejoice 
over me. O Lord my God, I 
cried unto thee, and thou hast 
healed me. 

6 O Lord, thou hast brought 
up my soul from the grave ; thou 
hast kept me alive, that I should 
not go down to the pit. 

7 Sing unto the Lord, all ye 
saints of his, and give thanks at 
the remembrance of his holiness. 
For his anger endureth but for 
a moment ; in his favour is life. 

8 In like manner all the saints, 
prostrate at the feet of Jesus, said 
with one voice, Thou art come, 
O Redeemer of the world, and 
hast actually accomplished all 
things, which thou didst foretell 
by the law and thy holy prophets. 

9 Thou hast redeemed the 
living by thy cross, and art come 
down to us, that by the death of 
the cross thou mightest deliver 
us from hell, and by thy power 
from death. 

10 O Lord, as thou hast put 
the ensigns of thy glory in heav- 
en, and hast set up the sign of 
thy redemption, even thy cross, 
on earth ; so, Lord, set the sign 
of the victory of thy cross in hell, 
that death may have dominion 
no longer. 

11 Then the Lord, stretching 
forth his hand, made the sign of 
the cross upon Adam, and upon 
all his saints, 

12 And taking hold of Adam 
by his right hand, he ascended 
from hell, and all the saints of 
God followed him. 

13 Then the royal prophet 
David boldly cried out, and 

75 



Adam converses 



NICODEMUS. 



with Enoch, fyc. 



said, 1 O sing unto the Lord a new 
song, for he hath done marvellous 
things ; his right hand and his 
holy arm hath gotten him the 
victory. 

14 The Lord hath made 
known his salvation, his righte- 
ousness hath he openly shown in 
the sight of the heathen. 

15 And the whole multitude 
of saints answered, saying, 2 This 
honour have all his saints, Amen, 
Praise ye the Lord. 

16 Afterwards, the prophet 
Habakkuk 3 cried out, and said, 
Thou wentest forth for the sal- 
vation of thy people, even for the 
salvation of thy people. 

17 And all the saints said, 4 
Blessed is he who cometh in the 
name of the Lord ; for the Lord 
hath enlightened us. This is our 
God for ever and ever ; he shall 
reign over us to everlasting ages, 
Amen. 

18 In like manner all the pro- 
phets spake the sacred things of 
his praise, and followed the Lord. 

CHAP. XX. 

1 Christ delivers Adam to Michael the arch- 
angel. 3 They nieet Enoch and Elijah in 
heaven, 5 and also the blessed thief, who 
relates how he oame to Paradise. 

THEN the Lord, holding 
Adam by the hand, deliv- 
ered him to Michael the archan- 
gel ; and he led them into Para- 
dise, filled with mercy and glory. 
2 And two very ancient men 
met them, and were asked by 
the saints, Who are ye, who 
have not yet been with us in 
hell, and have had your bodies 
placed in Paradise. 

1 Ps. xcviii. 1 &c. 2 Ps. cxlix. 2. 
3 Hab. iii. 13. * Matt, xxiii. 39. 

76 



3 One of them answering, 
said, I am Enoch, who was 
translated by the word of 
God ; 5 and this man who is 
with me, is Elijah the Tishbite, 
who was translated in a fiery 
chariot. 6 

4 Here we have hitherto been, 
and have not tasted death, but 
are now about to return at the 
coming of Antichrist, being arm- 
ed with divine signs and mira- 
cles, to engage with him in battle, 
and to be slain by him in Jeru- 
salem, and to be taken up alive 
again into the clouds, after three 
days and a half. 7 

5 fl And while the holy Enoch 
and Elias were relating this, be- 
hold there came another man 
in a miserable figure, carrying 
the sign of the cross upon his 
shoulders. 

6 And when all the saints 
saw him, they said to him, Who 
art thou 1 For thy countenance 
is like a thief's ; and why dost 
thou carry a cross upon thy 
shoulders ? 

7 To which he answering, 
said, Ye say right, for I was a 
thief, who committed all sorts of 
wickedness upon earth. 

8 And the Jews crucified me 
with Jesus ; and I observed the 
surprising things which happen- 
ed in the creation at the cruci- 
fixion of the Lord Jesus, 

9 And I believed him to be 
the Creator of all things, and the 
Almighty King ; and I prayed to 
him, saying, Lord, remember me 
when thou comest into thy king- 
dom. 



5 Gen. v. 24. 
7 Rev. xi. 11. 



6 2 Kinsrsii. 11. 



The blessed 



NICODEMUS. 



thief's story. 



10 He presently regarded my 
supplication, and said to me, 
Verily I say unto thee, This day 
thou shalt be with me in Para- 
dise. 1 

11 And he gave me this sign 
of the cross, saying, Carry this, 
and go to Paradise ; and if the 
angel who is the guard of Para- 
dise will not admit thee, show 
him the sign of the cross, and 
say unto him, Jesus Christ, who 
is now crucified, hath sent me 
hither to thee. 

12 When I did this, and told 
the angel who is the guard of 
Paradise all these things, and he 
heard them, he presently opened 
the gates, introduced me, and 
placed me on the right hand in 
Paradise, 

13 Saying, Stay here a little 
time, till Adam, the father of all 
mankind, shall enter in, with 
all his sons, who are the holy 
and righteous servants of Jesus 
Christ, who is crucified. 

14 When they heard all this 
account from the thief, all the 
patriarchs said with one voice, 
Blessed be thou, O Almighty 
God, the Father of everlasting 
goodness, and the Father of 
mercies, who hast shown such 
favour to those who were sinners 
against him, and hast brought 
them to the mercy of Paradise, 
and hast placed them amidst thy 
large and spiritual provisions, in 
a spiritual and holy life. Amen. 

CHAP. XXI. 

1 Charinus and Lenthius aeing only allowed 
three days to remain on earth, 7 deliver in 
their narratives, which miraculously corre- 
spond ; they vanish, 13 and Pilate records 
these transactions. 

1 Luke xxiii. 43. 
7* 



THESE are the divine and 
sacred mysteries which we 
saw and heard. I Charinus and 
Lenthius are not allowed to de- 
clare the other mysteries of God, 
as the archangel Michael order- 
ed us, 

2 Saying, Ye shall go with 
my brethren to Jerusalem, and 
shall continue in prayers, declar- 
ing and glorifying the resurrec- 
tion of Jesus Christ, seeing he 
hath raised you from the dead at 
the same time with himself. 

3 And ye shall not talk with 
any man, but sit as dumb per- 
sons till the time come when the 
Lord will allow you to relate the 
mysteries of his divinity. 

4 The archangel Michael fur- 
ther commanded us to go beyond 
Jordan, to an excellent and fat 
country, where there are many 
who rose from the dead along 
with us for the proof of the resur- 
rection of Christ. 

5 For we have only three 
days allowed us from the dead, 
who arose to celebrate the pass- 
over of our Lord with our par- 
ents, and to bear our testimony 
for Christ the Lord, and we have 
been baptized in the holy river 
of Jordan. And now they are 
not seen by any one. 

6 This is as much as God 
allowed us to relate to you ; give 
ye therefore praise and honour 
to him, and repent, and he will 
have mercy upon you. Peace 
be to you from the Lord God 
Jesus Christ, and the Saviour of 
us all. Amen, amen, amen. 

7 And after they had made 
an end of writing, and had wrote 
in two distinct pieces of paper, 

77 



The Jews 



NICODEMUS. 



repent and 



Charinus gave what he wrote 
into the hands of Annas, and 
Caiaphas, and Gamaliel. 

8 Lenthius likewise gave what 
he wrote into the hands of Nic- 
odemus and Joseph; and imme- 
diately they were changed into 
exceeding white forms, and were 
seen no more. 

9 But what they had wrote 
was found perfectly to agree, the 
one not containing one letter 
more or less than the other. 

10 When all the assembly of 
the Jews heard all these sur- 
prising relations of Charinus 
and Lenthius, they said to each 
other, Truly all these things were 
wrought by God, and blessed be 
the Lord Jesus for ever and ever, 
Amen. 

11 And they went all out with 
great concern, and fear, and 
trembling, and smote upon their 
breasts, and went away every 
one to his home. 

12 But immediately all these 
things which were related by the 
Jews in their synagogue con- 
cerning Jesus, were presently 
told by Joseph and Nicodemus 
to the governor. 

13 And Pilate wrote down all 
these transactions, and placed all 
these accounts in the public rec- 
ords of his hall. 

CHAP. XXII. 

1 Pilate goes to the temple; calls together the 
rulers, and scribes, and doctors. 2 Com- 
mands the gates to be shut ; orders the book 
of the Scripture ; and causes the Jews to 
relate what they really knew concerning 
Christ. 14 They declare that they crucified 
Christ in ignorance, and that they now 
know him to be the Son of God, according 
to the testimony of the Scriptures, which, 
after they put him to death, they examined. 

AFTER these things, Pilate 
went to the temple Of the 

78 



Jews, and called together all the 
rulers and scribes, "and doctors 
of the law, and went with them 
into a chapel of the temple, 

2 And commanding that all 
the gates should be shut, said to 
them, I have heard that ye have 
a certain large book in this tem- 
ple; I desire you, therefore, that 
it may be brought before me. 

3 And when the great book, 
carried by four ministers of the 
temple, and adorned with gold 
and precious stones,was brought, 
Pilate said to them all, I adjure 
you by the God of your fathers, 
who made and commanded this 
temple to be built, that ye con- 
ceal not the truth from me. 

4 Ye know all the things 
which are written in that book ; 
tell me therefore now, if ye in 
the Scriptures have found any 
thing of that Jesus whom ye 
crucified, and at what time of 
the world he ought to have 
come : show it me. 

5 Then having sworn Annas 
and Caiaphas, they commanded 
all the rest who were with them 
to go out of the chapel. 

And they shut the gates of 
the temple and of the chapel, 
and said to Pilate, Thou hast 
made us to swear, O judge, by 
the building of this temple, to 
declare to thee that which is true 
and right. 

7 After we had crucified 
Jesus, not knowing that he was 
the Son of God, but supposing 
he wrought his miracles by some 
magical arts, we summoned a 
large assembly in this temple. 

8 And when we were deliber- 
ating among one another about 



acknowledge 



the miracles which Jesus had 
wrought, we found many wit- 
nesses of our own country, who 
declared that they had seen him 
alive after his death, and that 
they heard him discoursing with 
his disciples, and saw him as- 
cending unto the height of the 
heavens, and entering into them; 

9 And we saw two witnesses, 
whose bodies Jesus raised from 
the dead, who told us of many 
strange things which Jesus did 
among the dead, of which we 
have a written account in our 
hands. 

10 And it is our custom an- 
nually to open this holy book 
before an assembly, and to 
search there for the counsel of 
God. 

11 And we found in the first 
of the seventy books, where Mi- 
chael the archangel is speaking 
to the third son of Adam the 
first man, an account that after 
five thousand five hundred years, 
Christ the most beloved Son of 
God was to come on earth. 

12 And we further consider- 
ed, that perhaps he was the very 
God of Israel who spake to Mo- 
ses, Thou shalt make the ark of 
the testimony ; two cubits and a 
half shall be the length thereof, 
and a cubit and a half the 
breadth thereof, and a cubit and 
a half the height thereof. 1 

13 By these five cubits and a 
half for the building of the ark 
of the Old Testament, we per- 
ceived and knew that in five 
thousand years and half (one 

1 Exod. xxv. 10. 



NICODEMUS. 



Christ. 



thousand) years, Jesus Christ 
was to come in the -ark or taber- 
nacle of a body ; 

14 And so our Scriptures tes- 
tify that he is the Son of. God, 
and the Lord and King of Is- 
rael. 

15 And because, after his suf- 
fering, our chief priests were 
surpiised at the signs which 
were wrought by his means, we 
opened that book to search all 
the generations down to the 
generation of Joseph and Mary 
the mother of Jesus, supposing 
him to be of the seed of David ; 

16 And we found the account 
of the creation, and at what 
time he made the heaven and 
the earth, and the first man 
Adam, and that from thence to 
the flood, were two thousand 
two hundred and twelve years. 

17 And from the flood to 
Abraham, nine hundred and 
twelve. And from Abraham to 
Moses, four hundred and thirty. 
And from Moses to David the 
king, five hundred and ten. 

18 And from David to the 
Babylonish captivity, five hun- 
dred years. And from the Bab- 
ylonish captivity to the incarna- 
tion of Christ, four hundred 
years. 

19 The sum of all which 
amounts to five thousand and 
half (a thousand). 

20 And so it appears that Je- 
sus, whom we crucified, is Jesus 
Christ the Son of God, and true 
and Almighty God. Amen. 

ft In the name of the Holy 
Trinity, thus end the Acts 
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
79 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 



which the Emperor Theodo- 
sius the Great found at Jeru- 
salem, in the hall of Pontius 
JPilate, among the public rec- 
ords; the things were acted 
in the nineteenth year of Ti- 
berius Ccesar, Emperor of the 
Romans, and in the seventeenth 
year of the government of 
Herod, the son of Herod, 



king of Galilee, on the eighth 
of the calends of April, which 
is the twenty-third day of the 
month of March, in the 
ccn nd Olympiad, when Joseph 
and Caiaphas were rulers of 
the Jews: being a History 
written in Hebrew by Nicode- 
mus of what happened after 
our Saviour's crucifixion 



The APOSTLES' CREED. 

[It is affirmed by Ambrose, " that the twelve apostles, as skilful artificers, assem- 
bled tog-ether, and made a key by their common advice, that is, the Creed ; by 
which the darkness of the devil is disclosed, that the light of Christ may appear." 1 
Others fable that every apostle inserted an article, by which the creed is divided 
into twelve articles ; and a sermon, fathered upon !St. Austin, and quoted by the 
Lord Chancellor King, fabricates that each particular article was thus inserted by 
each particular apostle : — 

" Peter. — 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty ; 

" John. — 2. Maker of heaven and earth ; 

ei Ja?nes. — 3. And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord ; 

" Andrew. — 4. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary j 

il Philip. — 5. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; 

" Tho7)ias.—6. He descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the 

dead ; 
u Bartholomew. — 7. He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God 

the Father Almighty ; 
" Matthew. — 8. From thence shall he come to judge the o t uick and the dead ; 
" James, the sen of Alpheus. — 9. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic 

Church , 
" Simon Zelotes. — 10. The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins ; 
" Jude, the brother of James. — 11. The resurrection of the body ; 
" Matthias.'— 12. Life everlasting. Amen." 2 

Archbishop Wake says, " With respect to the apostles being the authors of 
this creed, it is not my intention to enter on any particular examination of this 
matter, which has been so fully handled, not only by the late critics of the Church 
of Rome, Natalis Alexander, 3 Du Pin, 4 &c, but yet more especially by Arch- 
bishop Usher, 5 Gerard Vossius, 6 Suicer, 7 Spanhemius, 8 Tentzelius, 9 and Sam. 



1 Ambr. Opera, torn. hi. Serm.38, p.265. 

2 King's Hist. Apost. Creed, 8vo. p.26. 

3 Nat. Alex. § i. vol. i. p. 490, &c. 

4 Du Pin, Biblioth. Eccles. vol. i. p. 
25, &c 

5 Diatrib. de Symb. 

6 Vos. Dissert, de tribus Symbolis. 

80 



7 Suicer. Thcsanr. Eccles. torn. uY 
Voce c'vu&dXov, p. 1086, &c. 

8 Spanhem. Introd. ad Hist. Eccles. 
§ ii. c. 3. 

9 Ernest. Tentzel. Exercit. select. Ex- 
ercit. I. 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 



Basnage, 1 among the Protestants. It shall suffice to say, that as it is not likely, 
that had any such thing as this been done by the apostles, St. Luke would have 
passed it by, without taking the least notice of it ; so the diversity of creeds in 
the ancient church, and that not only in expression, but in some whole articles too, 
sufficiently shows, that the Creed which we call by that name, was not composed 
by the twelve apostles, much less in the same form in which it now is." 2 

Mr. Justice Bailey says, "It is not to be understood that this Creed was 
framed by the apostles, or indeed that it existed as a creed in their time ;" 3 and 
after giving the Creed as it existed in the year 600, and which is here copied from 
his Common Prayer Book, he says, " How long this form had existed before the 
year 600, is not exactly known. The additions were probably made in opposition 
to particular heresies and errors." 

The most important " addition," since the year of Christ 600, is that which af- 
firms, that Christ descended into hell. This has been proved not only to have 
been an invention after the apostles' time, but even after the time of Eusebius. 
Bishop Pearson says, 4 that the descent into hell was not in the ancient creeds or 
rules of faith. ; ' It is not to be found in the rules of faith delivered by Irenseus, 5 
by Origen, 6 or by Tertullian. 7 It is not expressed in those creeds which were 
made by the councils as larger explications of the Apostles' Creed ; not in the Ni- 
cene, or Constantinopolitan ; not in those of Ephesus, or Chalcedon ; not in thoso 
confessions made at Sardica, Antioch, Seleucia, Sirmium, &e. It is not mentioned 
in several confessions of faith delivered by particular persons 3 not in that of Eu- 
sebius Caesariensis, presented to the council of Nice ; 8 not in that of Marcellus, 
bishop of Ancyra, delivered to Pope Julius, 9 not in that of Arius and Euzoius, 
presented to Constantine ; 10 not in that of Acacius, Bishop of Csesarea, delivered 
into the synod of Seleucia ; u not in that of Eustathius, Theophilus, and Silvanus, 
sent to Liberius ; 1 ' 2 there is no mention of it in the creed of St. Basil ; 13 in the 
creed of Epiphanius, 14 Gelasius, Damasus, Macarius, &c. It is not in the creed 
expounded by St. Cyril, though some have produced that creed to prove it. It is 
not in the creed expounded by St. Augustine ; 15 not in that other, 16 attributed to 
St. Augustine in another place ; not in that expounded by Maximus Taurinensis ; 
nor in that so often interpreted by Petrus Chrysologus ; nor in that of the church 
of Antioch, delivered by Cassianus j 17 neither is it to be seen in the MS. creeds 
set forth by the learned Archbishop of Armagh. It is affirmed by Ruffinus, that 
in his time it was neither in the Roman nor the Oriental Creeds." 18 ] 



1 Sam. Basnage, Exercit. Hist. Crit. 
ad Ann. XLIV. num. 17, 18. 

2 Wake's Apost. Fathers, 8vo. p. 103. 

3 Mr.Justice Bailey's CommonPrayer, 
1813, p. 9. 

4 Pearson on the Creed, fol. 1676, p. 
225. 

= Lib. i. c. 2. 

c Lib, de Princip. in Prooem. 

7 Advers. Praxeam. c. ii. Virgin. Ve- 
land.c. 1. — De Prescript, advers. Hseres. 
c 13. 



8 Theodoret. 1.1. c. 2. 

9 Epiphan. Haeres. 72. 

10 Socrat. 1. 1. c. 19. 

11 Ibid. 1.2. c. 40. 

1 2 Ibid. 1. 4. c. 12. 

13 Tract, de Fide in Ascet. 

14 In Anchorat. c. 120. 

15 De Fide et Symbolo. 

16 De Symbolo ad Catechumenos. 

17 De Incarnat. lib. 6, 

18 Exposit. in Symbol. Apost. $ 20, 

81 



The APOSTLES' CREED, 



As it stood An. Dom. 600. Copied from Mr. 

Justice Bailey's Edition of the Book of 

Common Prayer. 
" Before the year 600, it was no more than 

this." — JJfi-. Justice Bailey, p. 9. n. 

1 I believe in God the Fa- 
ther Almighty : 

2 And in Jesus Christ his on- 
ly begotten Son, our Lord ; 

3 Who was born of the Holy 
Ghost and Virgin Mary, 

4 And was crucified under 
Pontius Pilate, and was buried ; 

5 And the third day rose 
again from the dead, 

6 Ascended into heaven, sit- 
teth on the right hand of the 
Father ; 

7 Whence he shall come to 
judge the quick and the dead ; 

8 And in the Holy Ghost; 

9 The Holy Church; 

1 The remission of sins ; 

11 And the resurrection of 
the flesh, Amen. 



82 



As it now stands in the Book of Common 
Prayer of the United Church of England 
and Ireland, as by law established. 



1 I believe in God the Fa- 
ther Almighty, maker of heaven 
and earth : 

2 And in Jesus Christ, his 
only Son, our Lord ; 

3 Who was conceived by the 
Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin 
Mary, 

4 Suffered under Pontius Pi- 
late, was crucified, dead, and 
buried ; 

5 He descended into hell ; 

6 The third day he rose again 
from the dead ; 

7 He ascended into heaven, 
and sitteth on the right hand of 
God the Father Almighty ; 

8 From thence he shall come 
to judge the quick and the dead. 

9 fl I believe in the Holy 
Ghost ; 

10 The holy Catholic Church; 
the communion of saints ; 

11 The forgiveness of sins ; 

12 The resurrection of the 
body; and the life everlasting, 
Amen. 



The EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE to the 
LAODICEANS. 

[This Epistle has been highly esteemed by several learned men of the Church of Rome, and 
others. The Quakers have printed a translation, and plead for it, as the reader may see, 
by consulting Poole's Annotations on Col. iv. 16. Sixtus Senensis mentions two MSS., 
the one in the Sorbonne Library at Paris, which is a very ancient copy, and the other in 
the Library of Joannes a Viridario, at Padua, which he transcribed and published ; and 
which is the authority for the following translation. • There is a very old translation of 
this Epistle in the British Museum, among the Harleian MSS., Cod. 1212.] 

1 He salutes the brethren ; 3 exhorts them to 
persevere in good works, 4 and not be moved 
by vain speaking. 6 Rejoices in his bonds, 
10 and desires them to live in the fear of the 
Lord. 



PAUL an Apostle, not of 
men, neither by man, but 
by Jesus Christ, to the brethren 
which are at Laodicea. 

2 Grace be to you, and peace 
from God the Father, and our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

3 I thank Christ in every 
prayer of mine, that ye continue 
and persevere in good works, 
looking for that which is prom- 
ised in the day of judgment. 

4 Let not the vain speeches 
of any trouble you, who pervert 
the truth, that they may draw 
you aside from the truth of the 
gospel which I have preached. 

5 And now may God grant, 
that my converts may attain to a 
perfect knowledge of the truth 
of the gospel, be beneficent, and 
doing good works which accom- 
pany salvation. 

6 And now my bonds, which 
I suffer in Christ, are manifest, 
in which I rejoice and am 
glad. 

7 For ,. know that this shall 
turn to my salvation for ever, 
which shall be through your 
prayer, and the supply of the 
Holy Spirit. 

8 Whether I live or die ; (for) 



to me to live shall be a life to 
Christ, to die will be joy. 

9 And our Lord will grant us 
his mercy, that ye may have the 
same love, and be like-minded. 

10 Wherefore, my beloved, as 
ye have heard of the coming of 
the Lord, so think and act in 
fear, and it shall be to you life 
eternal ; 

11 For it is God, who work- 
eth in you ; 

12 And do all things without 
sin. 

13 And what is best, my be- 
loved, rejoice in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and avoid all filthy lucre. 

14 Let all your requests be 
made known to God, and be 
steady in the doctrine of Christ. 

15 And whatsoever things are 
sound, and true, and of good 
report, and chaste, and just, and 
lovely, these things do. 

16 Those things which ye 
have heard, and received, think 
on these things, and peace shall 
be with you. 

17 All the saints salute you. 

18 The grace of our Lord 
Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 
Amen. 

19 Cause this Epistle to be 
read to the Colossians, and the 
Epistle of the Colossians to be 
read among ycu. 

83 



The EPISTLES of PAUL the APOSTLE to SENECA, 
with SENECA'S to PAUL. 

[Several very learned writers have entertained a favourable opinion of these Epistles. Thev 
are undoubtedly of high antiquity. Salmeron cites them to prove that Seneca was one of 
Ctesar's household, referred to by Paul (Philip, iv. 22), as saluting the brethren at Philippi 
In Jerome's enumeration of illustrious men, he places Seneca, on account of these Epistles, 
amongst the ecclesiastical and holy writers of the Christian church. Sixtus Senensis has 
published them in his Bibliotheque, p. 89, 90 ; and it is from thence that the present trans- 
lation is made. Baronius, Bellarmine, Dr. Cave, Spanheim, and others, contend that they 
are not genuine.] 



CHAP. I. 

Annjeus Seneca to Paul 
Greeting. 

I SUPPOSE, Paul, that you 
have been informed of that 
conversation, which passed yes- 
terday between me and my Lu- 
cilius, concerning hypocrisy and 
other subjects; for there were 
some of your disciples in com- 
pany with us ; 

2 For when we were retired 
into the Sallustian gardens, 
through which they were also 
passing, and would have gone 
another way, by our persuasion 
they joined company with us. 

3 I desire you to believe, that 
we much wish for your conver- 
sation ; 

4 We were much delighted 
with your book of many Epis- 
tles, which you have wrote to 
some cities and chief towns of 
provinces, and contain wonder- 
ful instructions for moral con- 
duct: 

5 Such sentiments, as I sup- 
pose you were not the author of, 
but only the instrument of con- 
veying, though sometimes both 
the author and the instru- 
ment. 

6 For such is the sublimity 

84 



of those doctrines, and their 
grandeur, that I suppose the 
age of a man is scarce sufficient 
to be instructed and perfected in 
the knowledge of them. I wish 
your welfare, my brother. Fare- 
well. 

CHAP. II. 
Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

I RECEIVED your letter yes- 
terday with pleasure ; to 
which I could immediately have 
wrote an answer, had the young 
man been at home, whom I in- 
tended to have sent to you : 

2 For you know when, and 
by whom, at what seasons, and 
to whom, I must deliver every 
thing which I send. 

3 I desire therefore you would 
not charge me with negligence, 
if I wait for a proper per- 
son. 

4 I reckon myself very happy 
in having the judgment of so 
valuable a person, that you are 
delighted with my Epistles : 

5 For you would not be es- 
teemed a censor, a philosopher, 
or be the tutor of so great a 
prince, and a master of every 
thing, if you were not sincere. 
I wish you a lasting pros- 
perity. 



PAUL AND SENECA. 



CHAP. III. 

AnnjEus Seneca to Paul 
Greeting. 

I HAVE completed some vol- 
umes, and divided them into 
their proper parts. 

2 I am determined to read 
them to Caesar, and if any fa- 
vourable opportunity happens, 
you also shall be present, when 
they are read ; 

3 But if that cannot be, I 
will appoint and give you notice 
of a day-, when we will together 
read over the performance. 

4 I had determined, if I could 
with safety, first to have your 
opinion of it, before I published 
it to Csesar, that you might be 
convinced of my affection to 
you. Farewell, dearest Paul. 

CHAP. IV. 
Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

AS often as I read your let- 
ters, I imagine you present 
with me ; nor indeed do I think 
any 'other, than that you are al- 
ways with us. 

2 As soon therefore as you 
begin to come, we shall present- 
ly see each other. I wish you 
all prosperity. 

CHAP. V. 

AnnjEus Seneca to Paul 
Greeting. 

WE are very much con- 
cerned at your too long 
absence from us. 

2 What is it, or what affairs 
are they which obstruct your 
coming 1 

3 If you fear the anger of 
Caesar, because you have aban- 

8 



doned your former religion, and 
made proselytes also of others, 
you have this to plead, that your 
acting thus proceeded not from 
inconstancy, but judgment. 
Farewell." 

CHAP. VI. 

Paul to Seneca and Lucilius 
Greeting. 

CONCERNING those 
things, about which ye 
wrote to me, it is not proper for 
me to mention any thing in 
writing with pen and ink : the 
one of which leaves marks, and 
the other evidently declares 
things. 

2 Especially since I know 
that there are near you, as well 
as me, those who will under- 
stand my meaning. 

3 Deference is to be paid to 
all men, and so much the more, 
as they are more likely to take 
occasions of quarrelling. 

4 And if we show a submis- 
sive temper, we shall overcome 
effectually in all points, if so be 
they are, who are capable of 
seeing and acknowledging them- 
selves to have been in the 
wrong. Farewell. 

CHAP. VIL 

AnnjEus Seneca to Paul 
Greeting. 

PROFESS myself extreme- 
ly pleased with the reading 
your letter to the Galatians, Co- 
rinthians, and people of Achaia. 
2 For the Holy Ghost has in 
them by you delivered those 
sentiments which are very lofty, 
sublime, deserving of all respect, 
85 



PAUL AND SENECA. 



and beyond your own inven- 
tion. 

3 I could wish therefore, that 
when you are writing things so 
extraordinary, there might not 
be wanting an elegancy of 
speech agreeable to their maj- 
esty. 

4 And I must own, my broth- 
er, that I may not at once dis- 
honestly conceal any thing from 
you, and *be unfaithful to my 
own conscience, that the empe- 
ror is extremely pleased with the 
sentiments of your Epistles ; 

5 For when he heard the be- 
ginning of them read, he de- 
clared, That he was surprised 
to find such notions in a person 
who had not had a regular edu- 
cation. 

6 To which I replied, That 
the Gods sometimes made use 
of mean (innocent) persons to 
speak by, and gave him an in- 
stance of this in a mean country- 
man, named Vatienus, who,when 
he was in the country of Reate, 
had two men appeared to him, 
called Castor and Pollux, and 
received a revelation from the 
gods. Farewell. 

CHAP. VIII. 
Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

ALTHOUGH I know the 
emperor is both an admirer 
and favourer of our (religion), 
yet give me leave to advise you 
against your suffering any injury 
(by showing favour to us). 

2 I think indeed you ventured 

upon a very dangerous attempt, 

when you would declare (to the 

emperor) that which is so very 

86 



contrary to his religion, and way 
of worship ; seeing he is a wor- 
shipper of the heathen gods. 

3 I know not what you par- 
ticularly had in view, when you 
told him of this ; but I suppose 
you did it out of a too great re- 
spect for me. 

4 But I desire that for the fu- 
ture you would not do so; for 
you had need be careful, lest by 
showing your affection to me, 
you should offend your master : 

5 His anger indeed will do 
us no harm, if he continue a hea- 
then ; nor will his not being an- 
§ry be of any service to us : 

6 And if the empress act wor- 
thy of her character, she will not 
be angry ; but if she act as a 
woman, she will be affronted. 
Farewell. 

CHAP. IX. 

ANNiEus Seneca to Paul 
Greeting. 

I KNOW that my letter,where- 
in I acquainted you, that I 
had read to the emperor your 
Epistles, does not so much affect 
you as the nature of the things 
(contained in them), 

2 Which do so powerfully di- 
vert men's minds from their for- 
mer manners and practices, that 
I have always been surprised, 
and have been fully convinced 
of it by many arguments hereto- 
fore. 

3 Let us therefore begin afresh; 
and if any thing heretofore has 
been imprudently acted, do you 
forgive. 

4 I have sent you a book de 
copia verborum. Farewell, dear- 
est Paul. 



PAUL AND SENECA-. 



CHAP. X. 

Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

AS often as I write to you, 
and place my name before 
yours, I do a thing both disagree- 
able to myself, and contrary to 
our religion ; 

2 For I ought, as I have often 
declared, to become all things to 
all men, and to have that regard 
to your quality, which the Roman 
law has honoured all senators 
with; namely ,to put my name last 
in the (inscription of the) Epistle, 
that I may not at length with 
uneasiness and shame be obliged 
to do that which it was always 
my inclination to do. Farewell, 
most respected master. Dated 
the fifth of the calends of July, 
in the fourth consulship of Nero 
and Messala. 

CHAP. XL 

Annjsus Seneca to Paul 
Greeting. 

ALL happiness to you, my 
dearest Paul. 

2 If a person so great, so ev- 
ery way agreeable as you are, 
become not only a common, but 
most intimate friend to me, how 
happy will be the case of Seneca! 

3 You therefore, who are so 
eminent, and so far exalted above 
ali, even the greatest, do not think 
yourself unfit to be first named 
in the inscription of an Epistle ; 

4 Lest I should suspect you 
intend not so much to try me, as 
to banter me ; for you know 
yourself to be a Roman citizen. 

5 And I could wish to be in 
that circumstance or station 
which you are, and that you were 



in the same that I am. Fare- 
well, dearest Paul. Dated the 
x th of the calends of April, in 
the consulship of Aprianus and 
Capito. 

CHAP. XII. 

AnnjEus Seneca to Paul 
Greeting. 

ALL happiness to you, my 
dearest Paul. Do you not 
suppose I am extremely con- 
cerned and grieved, that your 
innocence should bring you into 
sufferings 1 

2 And that all the people 
should suppose you (Christians) 
so criminal, and imagine all the 
misfortunes that happen to the 
city, to be caused by you? 

3 But let us bear the charge 
with a patient temper, appealing 
(for our innocence) to the court 
(above), which is the only one 
our hard fortune will allow us to 
address to, till at length our mis- 
fortunes shall end in unalterable 
happiness. 

4 Former ages have produced 
(tyrants) Alexander the son of 
Philip, and Dionysius ; ours also 
has produced Caius Csesar; 
whose inclinations were their 
only laws. 

5 As to the frequent burnings 
of the city of Rome, the cause 
is manifest; and if a person in 
my mean circumstances might 
be allowed to speak, and one 
might declare these dark things 
without danger, every one should 
see the whole of the matter. < 

6 The Christians and Jews 
are indeed commonly punished 
for the crime of burning the city ; 
but that inmious miscreant, who 

87 



PAUL AND SENECA. 



delights in murders and butch- 
eries, and disguises his villanies 
with lies, is appointed to, or re- 
served till, his proper time ; 

7 And as the life of every ex- 
cellent person is now sacrificed 
instead of that one person (who 
is the author of the mischief), so 
this one shall be sacrificed for 
many, and he shall be devoted to 
be burnt with fire instead of all. 

8 One hundred and thirty-two 
houses, and four whole squares 
(or islands) were burnt down in 
six days : the seventh put an end 
to the burning. I wish you all 
happiness. 

9 Dated the fifth of the ca- 
lends of April, in the consulship 
of Frigius and Bassus. 

CHAP. XIII. 

Aknmvs Seneca to Paul 
Greeting, 

ALL happiness to you, my 
dearest Paul. 

2 You have wrote many vol- 
umes in an allegorical and mys- 
tical style, and therefore such 
mighty matters and business, be- 
ing committed to you, require 
not to be set off with any rhetor- 
ical flourishes of speech, but only 
with some proper elegance. 

3 I remember you often say, 
that many by affecting such a 
style do injury to their subjects, 
and lose the force of the matters 
they treat of. 

4 But in this I desire you to 
regard me, namely, to have re- 
spect to true Latin, and to choose 
just words, that so you may the 

88 



better manage tne noble trust, 
which is reposed in you. 

5 Farewell. Dated v th of the 
nones of July, Leo and Savinus 
consuls. 

CHAP. XIV. 

Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

YOUR serious consideration 
is requited with those dis- 
coveries, which the Divine Be- 
ing has granted but to few. 

2 I am thereby assured that I 
sow the most strong seed in a 
fertile soil, not any thing mate- 
rial, which is subject to corrup- 
tion, but the durable word of 
God, which shall increase and 
bring forth fruit to eternity. 

3 That which by your wisdom 
you have attained to, shall abide 
without decay for ever. 

4 Believe that you ought to 
avoid the superstitions of Jews 
and Gentiles. 

5 The things which you have 
in some measure arrived to, pru- 
dently make known to the em- 
peror, his family, and to faithful 
friends ; 

6 And though your senti- 
ments will seem disagreeable, 
and not be comprehended by 
them, seeing, most of them will 
not regard your discourses, yet 
the Word of God, once infused 
into them, will at length make 
them become new men, aspiring 
towards God. 

7 Farewell, Seneca, who art 
most dear to us. Dated on the 
calends of August, in the consul- 
ship of Leo and Savinus. 



The ACTS of PAUL and THECLA. 



[Tertullian says that this piece was forged by a Presbyter of Asia, who, being convicted, 
*' confessed that he did it out of respect to Paul," and Pope Gelasius, in his Decree against 
Apocrypha! books, inserted it among them. Notwithstanding this, a large part of the 
History was credited, and looked upon as genuine among the primitive Christians. Cyp- 
rian, Eusebius, Epiphanius, Austin, Gregory Nazianzen, Chrysostom, and Severus Sul- 
gitius, who all lived within the fourth century, mention Thecla, or refer to her history, 
asii of Seleucia wrote her acts, sufferings, and victories, in verse ; and Euagrius Scholas- 
ticus, an ecclesiastical historian, about 590, relates that, " after the Emperor Zeno had ab- 
dicated his empire, and Basilik had taken possession of it, he had a vision of the holy and 
excellent maftyr Thecla, who promised him the restoration of his empire ; for which, when 
it was brought about, he erected and dedicated a most noble and sumptuous temple to this 
famous martyr Thecla, at Seleucia, a city of Isauria, and bestowed upon it very noble en- 
dowments, which (says the author) are preserved even till this day." Hiat. Eccl. lib. 3, 
cap. 8. — Cardinal Baronius, Locrinus, Archbishop Wake, and others, and also the learned 
Grabe, who edited the Septuagint,and revived the Acts of Paul and Thecla, consider them 
as having been written in the Apostolic age ; as containing nothing superstitious, or disa- 
greeing from the opinions and belief of those times ; and, in short, as a genuine and authen- 
tic History. Again, it is said, that this is not the original book of the early Christians ; but, 
however that may be, it is published from the Greek MS. in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, 
which Dr. Mills copied and transmitted to Dr. Grabe.] 

out speedily to meet him, to- 
gether with his wife Lectra, and 
his sons Simmia and Zeno, to 
invite him to their house. 

5 For Titus had given them 
a description of Paul's person- 
age, they as yet not knowing him 
in' person, but only being ac- 
quainted with his character. 

6 They went in the king's 
highway to Lystra, and stood 
there waiting for him, comparing 
all who passed by, with that de- 
scription which Titus had given 
them. 

7 At length they saw a man 
coming (namely, Paul), of a low 
stature, bald (or shaved) on the 
head, crooked thighs, handsome 
legs, hollow-eyed ; had a crooked 
nose; full of grace; for some- 
times he appeared as a man, 
sometimes he had the counte- 
nance of an angel. And Paul 
saw Onesiphorus, and was glad. 

8 ft And Onesiphorus said. 
Hail, thou servant of the blessed 
God. Paul replied, The grace of 
God be with thee and thy family. 

89 



The Martyrdom of the holy and 
glorious first Martyr and 
Apostle Thecla. 

CHAP. I. 

1 Demas and Hermogenes become Paul's com- 
panions. 4 Paul visits Onesiphorus. 8 
Invited by Demas and Hermogenes. 11 
Preaches to the household of Onesiphorus. 
12 His sermon. 

WHEN Paul went up to 
Iconium, after his flight 
from Antioch, Demas and Her- 
mogenes became his compan- 
ions, who were then full of hy- 
pocrisy. 

2 But Paul, looking only at 
the goodness of God, did them 
no harm, but loved them greatly. 

3 Accordingly he endeavour- 
ed to make agreeable to them 
all the oracles and doctrines of 
Christ, and the design of the 
gospel of God's well-beloved Son, 
instructing them in the knowl- 
edge of Christ, as it was revealed 
to him. 

4 ft And a certain man nam- 
ed Onesiphorus, hearing that 
Paul was come to Iconium, went 

8* 



Paul's 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



preaching. 



9 But Demas and Hermogenes 
were moved with envy,and under 
a show of great religion, Demas 
said, And are not we also ser- 
vants of the blessed God 1 Why 
didst thou not salute us ? 

10 Onesiphorus replied, Be- 
cause I have not perceived in 
you the fruits of righteousness ; 
nevertheless, if ye are of that 
sort, ye shall be welcome to my 
house alsq. 

11 Then Paul went into the 
house of Onesiphorus, and there 
was great joy among the family 
on that account ; and they em- 
ployed themselves in prayer, 
breaking of bread, and hearing 
Paul preach the word of God 
concerning temperance and the 
resurrection, in the following 
manner : 

12 fl Blessed are the pure in 
heart ; for they shall see God. 

13 Blessed are they who keep 
their flesh undented (or pure) ; 
for they shall be the temples of 
God. 

14 Blessed are the temperate 
(or chaste) ; for God will reveal 
himself to them. 

15 |f Blessed are they who 
abandon their secular enjoy- 
ments ; for they shall be accept- 
ed of God. 

16 Blessed are they who have 
wives, as though they had them 
not ; for they shall be made an- 
gels of God. 

17 Blessed are they who trem- 
ble at the word of God ; for they 
shall be comforted. 

18 Blessed are they who keep 
their baptism pure ; for they shall 
find peace with the Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost. 

90 



19 ft Blessed are they who 
pursue the wisdom (or doctrine) 
of Jesus Christ ; for they shall be 
called the sons of the Most High. 

20 Blessed are they who ob- 
serve the instructions of Jesus 
Christ; for they shall dwell in 
eternal light. 

21 Blessed are they, who for 
the love of Christ abandon the 
glories of the world; for they 
shall judge angels, and be placed 
at the right hand of Christ, and 
shall not suffer the bitterness of 
the last judgment. 

22 fl Blessed are the bodies 
and souls of virgins ; for they 
are acceptable to God, and shall 
not lose the reward of their vir- 
ginity ; for trie word of their 
(heavenly) Father shall prove 
effectual to their salvation in the 
day of his Son, and they shall 
enjoy rest for evermore. 

CHAP. II. 

1 Thecla listens anxiously to Paul's preach- 
ing. 5 Thamyris, her admirer, concerts 
with Theoclia, her mother, to dissuade her, 
12 in vain. 14 Demas and Hermogenes 
vilify Paul to Thamyris. 

WHILE Paul was preach- 
ing this sermon in the 
church which was in the house 
of Onesiphorus, a certain virgin 
named Thecla (whose mother's 
name was Theoclia, and who 
was betrothed to a man named 
Thamyris) sat at a certain win- 
dow in her house, 

2 From 'whence, by the ad- 
vantage of a window in the house 
where Paul was, she both night 
and day heard Paul's sermons 
concerning God, concerning 
charity, concerning faith in 
Christ, and concerning prayer; 



Thecla admires PAUL AND THECLA. Paul's preaching. 



3 Nor would she depart from 
the window, till with exceeding 
joy she was subdued to the doc- 
trines of faith. 

4 At length, when she saw 
many women and virgins going 
in to Paul, she earnestly desired 
that she might be thought wor- 
thy to appear in his presence, 
and hear the word of Christ; for 
she had not yet seen Paul's per- 
son, but only heard his sermons, 
and that alone. 

5 fl But when she would not 
be prevailed upon to depart from 
the window, her mother sent to 
Thamyris, who came with the 
greatest pleasure, as hoping now 
to marry her. Accordingly, he 
said to Theoclia, Where is my 
Thecla ? 

6 Theoclia replied, Thamy- 
ris,I have something very strange 
to tell you ; for Thecla, for the 
space of three days, will not move 
from the window, not so much 
as to eat or drink, but is so in- 
tent in hearing the artful and 
delusive discourses of a certain 
foreigner, that I perfectly admire, 
Thamyris, that a young woman 
of her known modesty, will suf- 
fer herself to be so prevailed 
upon. 

7 For that man has disturbed 
the whole city of Iconium, and 
even your Thecla among others. 
All the women and young men 
flock to him to receive his doc- 
trine ; who, besides all the rest, 
tells them, that there is but one 
God, who alone is to be worship- 
ped, and that we ought to live 
in chastity. 

8 fl Notwithstanding this, my 
daughter Thecla, like a spider's 



web, fastened to the window, is 
captivated by the discourses of 
Paul, and attends upon them 
with prodigious eagerness, and 
vast delight; and thus, by attend- 
ing on what he says, the young 
woman is seduced. Now then 
do you go, and speak to her, for 
she is betrothed to you. 

9 Accordingly Thamyris went, 
and having saluted her, and tak- 
ing care not to surprise her, he 
said, Thecla, my spouse, why 
sittest thou in this melancholy 
posture 1 What strange impres- 
sions are made upon thee ? Turn 
to Thamyris, and blush. 

10 Her mother also spake to 
her after the same manner, and 
said, Child, why dost thou sit so 
melancholy, and, like one aston- 
ished, makest no reply ? 

11 Then they wept exceed- 
ingly; Thamyris, that he had 
lost his spouse; Theoclia, that 
she had lost her daughter; and 
the maids, that they had lost 
their mistress ; and there was 
a universal mourning in the 
family. 

12 But all these things made 
no impression upon Thecla, so 
as to incline her so much as to 
turn to them, and take notice of 
them ; for she still regarded the 
discourses of Paul. 

13 Then Thamyris ran forth 
into the street, to observe who 
they were that went in to Paul, 
and came out from him ; and he 
saw two men engaged in a very 
warm dispute, and said to them ; 

14 fl Sirs, what business have 
you here 1 and who is that man 
within, belonging to you, who 
deludes the minds of men, both 

91 



Paul is 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



betrayed, 



young men and virgins, persuad- 
ing them, that they ought not 
to marry, but continue as they 
are? 

15 I promise to give you a 
considerable sum, if ye will give 
me a just account of him ; for I 
am the chief person of this city. 

16 Demas and Hermogenes 
replied, We cannot so exactly 
tell who he is, but this we know, 
that he deprives young men of 
their (intended) wives, and vir- 
gins of their (intended) hus- 
bands, by teaching, There can 
be no future resurrection, unless 
ye continue in chastity, and do 
not defile your flesh. 

CHAP. III. 

1 They betray Paul. 7 Thamyris arrests him 
with officers. 

THEN said Thamyris, Come 
along with me to my house, 
and refresh yourselves. So they 
went to a very splendid enter- 
tainment, where there was wine 
in abundance, and very rich pro- 
vision. 

2 They were brought to a ta- 
ble richly spread, and made to 
drink plentifully by Thamyris, 
on account of the love he had 
for Thecla, and his desire to 
marry her. 

3 Then Thamyris said, I de- 
sire you would inform me what 
the doctrines of this Paul are, 
that I may understand them ; 
for I am under no small concern 
about Thecla, seeing she so de- 
lights in that stranger's dis- 
courses, that I am in danger of 
losing my intended wife. 

4 fl Then Demas and Her- 
mogenes answered both together, 

92 



and said, Let him be brought 
before the governor Castellius, 
as one who endeavours to per- 
suade the people into the new 
religion of the Christians, and 
he, according to the order of 
Caesar, will put him to death, by 
which means you will obtain 
your wife ; 

5 While we at the same time 
will teach her, that the resurrec- 
tion which he speaks of, is al- 
ready come, and consists in our 
having children ; and that we 
then arose again, when we came 
to the knowledge of God. 

6 Thamyris having this ac- 
count from them, was filled with 
hot resentment ; 

7 And rising early in the 
morning, he went to the house 
of Onesiphorus, attended by the 
magistrates, the jailer, and a 
great multitude of people with 
staves, and said to Paul, 

8 Thou hast perverted the 
city oflconium, and, among the 
rest, Thecla, who is betrothed 
to me, so that now she will not 
marry me. Thou shalt therefore 
go with us to the governor Cas- 
tellius. 

9 And all the multitude cried 
out, Away with this impostor 
(magician), for he has perverted 
the minds of our wives, and all 
the people hearken to him. 

CHAP. IV. 

1 Paul accuser! before the governor by Tha- 
myris. 5 Defends himself. 9 Is committed 
to prison, 10 and visited by Thecla. 

THEN Thamyris, standing 
before the governor's judg- 
ment-seat, spake with a loud 
voice in the following manner : 



and 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



imprisoned. 



2 () governor, I know not 
whence this man cometh ; but 
he is one who teaches that matri- 
mony is unlawful. Command 
him therefore to declare before 
you for what reasons he pub- 
lishes such doctrines. 

3 While he was saying thus, 
Demas and Hermogenes (whis- 
pered to Thamyris, and) said, 
Say that he is a Christian, and 
he will presently be put to death. 

4 But the governor was more 
deliberate, and calling to Paul, 
he said, Who art thou ? What 
dost thou teach 1 They seem to 
lay gross crimes to thy charge. 

5 Paul then spake with a loud 
voice, saying, As I am now called 
to give an account, O governor, 
of my doctrines, I desire your 
audience. 

6 That God, who is a God of 
vengeance, and who stands in 
need of nothing but the salvation 
of his creatures, has sent me to 
reclaim them from their wicked- 
ness and corruptions, from all 
(sinful) pleasures, and from 
death ; and to persuade them to 
sin no more. 

7 On this account, God sent 
his Son Jesus Christ, whom I 
preach, and in whom I instruct 
men to place their hopes, as that 
person who only had such com- 
passion on the deluded world, 
that it might not, O governor, 
be condemned, but have faith, 
the fear of God, the knowledge 
of religion, and the love of truth. 

8 So that if I only teach those 
things which I have received by 
revelation from God, where is 
my crime ? 

9 When the governor heard 



this, he ordered Paul to be 
bound, and to be put in prison, 
till he should be more at leisure 
to hear him more fully. 

10 But in the night, Thecla, 
taking off her ear-rings, gave 
them to the turnkey of the pris- 
on, who then opened the doors 
to her, and let her in ; 

11 And when she made a 
present of a silver looking-glasa 
to the jailer, was allowed to go 
into the room where Paul was ; 
then she sat down at his feet, 
and heard from him the great 
things of God. 

12 And as she perceived Paul 
not to be afraid of suffering, but 
that by divine assistance he be- 
haved himself with courage, her 
faith so far increased, that she 
kissed his chains. 

CHAP. V. 

1 Thecla sought and found by her relations. 
4 Brought with Paul before the governor. 
9 Ordered to be burnt, and Paul to be 
whipped. 15 Thecla miraculously saved. 

AT length Thecla was miss- 
ed, and sought for by the 
family and by Thamyris in every 
street, as though she had been 
lost ; till one of the porter's fel- 
low-servants told them, that she 
had gone out in the night time. 

2 Then they examined the 
porter, and he told them, that 
she was gone to the prison to the 
strange man. 

3 They went therefore accord- 
ing to his direction, and there 
found her : and when they came 
out, they got a mob together, 
and went and told the governor 
all that happened. 

4 Upon which he ordered 

93 



Thecla saved 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



Paul to be brought before his 
judgment-seat. 

5 Thecla in the mean time 
lay wallowing on the ground, in 
the prison, in that same place 
where Paul had sat to teach her ; 
upon which the governor also 
ordered her to be brought before 
his judgment-seat ; which sum- 
mons she received with joy, and 
went. 

6 When Paul was brought 
thither, the mob with more vehe- 
mence cried out, He is a magi- 
cian; let him die. 

7 Nevertheless, the governor 
attended with pleasure upon 
Paul's discourses of the holy 
works of Christ; and, after a 
council called, he summoned 
Thecla, and said to her, Why 
do you not, according to the law 
of the Iconians, marry Tha- 
myris 1 

8 She stood still, with her 
eyes fixed upon Paul ; and find- 
ing she made no reply, Theoclia 
her mother cried out, saying, Let 
the unjust creature be burnt ; let 
her be burnt in the midst of the 
theatre, for refusing Thamyris, 
that all women may learn from 
her to avoid such practices. 

9 Then the governor was ex- 
ceedingly concerned, and order- 
ed Paul to be whipped out of the 
city, and Thecla to be burnt. 

10 So the governor arose, and 
went immediately into the thea- 
tre ; and all the people went forth 
to see the dismal sight. 

11 But Thecla, just as a lamb 
in the wilderness looks every 
way to see his shepherd, looked 
around for Paul ; 

12 And as she was looking 

94 



miraculously, 

upon the multitude, she saw the 
Lord Jesus in the likeness of 
Paul, and said to herself, Paul is 
come to see me in my distressed 
circumstances. And she fixed 
her eyes upon him ; but he in- 
stantly ascended up to heaven, 
while she looked on him. 

13 Then the young men and 
women brought wood and straw 
for the burning of Thecla ; who 
being brought naked to the 
stake, extorted tears from the 
governor, with surprise at be- 
holding the greatness of her 
beauty. 

14 And when they had placed 
the wood in order, the people 
commanded her to go upon it; 
which she did, first making the 
sign of the cross. 

15 Then the people set fire 
to the pile ; though the flame 
was exceeding large, it did not 
touch her; for God took com- 
passion on her, and caused a 
great eruption from the earth 
beneath, and a cloud from above 
to pour down great quantities of 
rain and hail, 

16 Insomuch that by the rup- 
ture of the earth, very many 
were in great danger, and some 
were killed, the fire was extin- 
guished, and Thecla preserved. 

CHAP. VI. 

1 Paul with Onesiphorus in a cave. 7 Thecla 
discovers Paul ; 12 Proffers to follow him : 
13 he exhorts her not, for fear of fornication. 

IN the mean time Paul, to- 
gether with Onesiphorus, his 
wife and children, was keeping 
a fast in a certain cave which 
was in the road from Iconium to 
Daphne. 

2 And when they had fasted 



i 



Thecla 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



visits Paul 



for several days, the children 
said to Paul, Father, we are 
hungry, and have not where- 
withal to buy bread ; for Onesi- 
phorus had left all his substance, 
to follow Paul with his family. 

3 Then Pad, taking off his 
coat, said to the boy, Go, child, 
and buy bread, and bring it 
hither. 

4 But while the boy was buy- 
ing the bread, he saw his neigh- 
bour Thecla; and was surprised, 
and said to her, Thecla, Where 
are you going ? 

5 She replied, I am in pursuit 
of Paul, having been delivered 
from the flames. 

6 The boy then said, I will 
bring you to him, for he is under 
great concern on your account, 
and has been in prayer and fast- 
ing these six days. 

7 fl When Thecla came to 
the cave, she found Paul upon 
his knees praying, and saying, 
O holy Father, O Lord Jesus 
Christ, grant that the fire may 
not touch Thecla ; but be her 
helper, for she is thy servant. 

8 Thecla then, standing be- 
hind him, cried out in the fol- 
lowing words : O sovereign Lord, 
Creator of heaven and earth, the 
Father of thy beloved and holy 
Son, I praise thee that thou hast 
preserved me from the fire, to 
see Paul again. 

9 Paul then arose, and when 
he saw her, said, O God, who 
searchest the heart, Father of 
my Lord Jesus Christ, I praise 
thee that thou hast answered my 
prayer. 

10 fl And there prevailed 
among them in the cave an en- 



tire affection to each other ; Paul, 
Onesiphorus, and all that were 
with them being filled with joy. 

1 1 They had five loaves, some 
herbs, and water, and they sol- 
aced each other in reflections 
upon the holy works of Christ. 

12 Then said Thecla to Paul, 
If you be pleased with it, I will 
follow you whithersoever you go. 

13 He replied to her, Persons 
are now much given to fornica- 
tion, and you being handsome, I 
am afraid lest you should meet 
with greater temptation than the 
former, and should not with- 
stand, but be overcome by it. 

14 Thecla replied, Grant me 
only the seal of Christ, and no 
temptation shall affect me. 

15 Paul answered, Thecla, 
wait with patience, and you shall 
receive the gift of Christ. 

CHAP. VII. 

1 Paul and Thecla go to Antioch. 2 Alexan- 
der, a magistrate, falls in love with Thecla, 
4 kisses her by force : 5 she resists him : 
6 is carried before the governor, and con- 
demned to be thrown to wild beasts. 

THEN Paul sent back One- 
siphorus and his family to 
their . own home, and taking 
Thecla along with him, went for 
Antioch ; 

2 And as soon as they came 
into the city, a certain Syrian, 
named Alexander, a magistrate 
in the city, who had done many 
considerable services for the city 
during his magistracy, saw Thec- 
la, and fell in love with her, 
and endeavoured by many rich 
presents to engage Paul in his 
interest. 

3 But Paul told him, I know 
not the woman of whom you 

95 



Thecla resists 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



Alexander, 



speak, nor does she belong to 
me. 

4 But he, being a person of 
great power in Antioch, seized 
her in the street, and kissed her, 
which Thecla would not bear, 
but looking about for Paul, cried 
out in a distressed loud tone, 
Force me not, who am a stran- 
ger ; force me not, who am a 
servant of God ; I am one of 
the principal persons of Iconi- 
um, and was obliged to leave 
that city, because I would not 
be married to Thamyris. 

5 Then she laid hold on 
Alexander, tore his coat, and 
took his crown off his head, and 
made him appear ridiculous be- 
fore all the people. 

6 But Alexander, partly as 
he loved her, and partly being 
ashamed of what had been done, 
led her to the governor, and 
upon her confession of what she 
had done, 1 he condemned her 
to be thrown among the beasts. 

CHAP. VIII. 

2 Thecla entertained by Trifina, 3 brought 
out to the wild beasts : 4 a she-lion licks 
her feet. 5 Trifina, upon a vision of her 
deceased daughter, adopts Thecla, 11 who 
is taken to the amphitheatre again. 

WHICH when the people 
saw, they said, The judg- 
ments passed in this city are un- 
just. But Thecla desired the 
favour of the governor, that her 
chastity might not be attacked, 
but preserved till she should be 
cast to the beasts. 

2 The governor then inquired, 

1 There being somewhat wanting here in 
the old Greek MS., it is supplied out of 
the old Latin version, which is in the 
Bodleian Library, Cod. Dig. 39, rather 
than out of Simeon Metaphrastes, a 
writer of the eleventh century. 

96 



who would entertain her ; upon 
which a certain very rich widow, 
named Trifina, whose daughter 
was lately dead, desired that she 
might have the keeping of her ; 
and she began to treat her in 
her house as her own daughter. 

3 At length a day came, when 
the beasts were to be brought 
forth to be seen ; and Thecla 
was brought to the ampitheatre, 
and put into a den, in which was 
an exceeding fierce she-lion, in 
the presence of a multitude of 
spectators, 

4 Trifina, without any sur- 
prise, accompanied Thecla, and 
the she-lion licked the feet of 
Thecla. The title written which 
denotes her crime was, Sacri- 
lege. Then the women cried 
out, O God, the judgments of 
this city are unrighteous. 

5 After the beasts had been 
shown, Trifina took Thecla 
home with her, and they went 
to bed ; and behold, the daugh- 
ter of Trifina, who was dead, 
appeared to her mother, and 
said, Mother, let the young wo- 
man, Thecla, be reputed by you 
as your daughter in my stead; 
and desire her that she would 
pray for me, that I may be 
translated to a state of happiness. 

6 Upon which Trifina, with a 
mournful air, said, My daughter 
Falconilla has appeared to me, 
and ordered me to receive you 
in her room ; wherefore I desire, 
Thecla, that you would pray for 
my daughter, that she may be 
translated into a state of happi- 
ness, and to life eternal. 

7 When Thecla heard this, 
she immediately prayed to the 



and thrown to 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



wild beasts, 



Lord, and said, O Lord God of 
heaven and earth, Jesus Christ, 
thou Son of the Most High, 
grant that her daughter Falco- 
nilla may live for ever. Trifina, 
hearing this, groaned again, and 
said, O unrighteous judgments, 
O unreasonable wickedness ! that 
such a creature should (again) 
be cast to the beasts ! 

8 |f On the morrow, at break 
of day, Alexander came to Tri- 
fina's house, and said, The gov- 
ernor and the people are waiting ; 
bring the criminal forth. 

9 But Trifina ran in so vio- 
lently upon him, that he was 
affrighted, and ran away. Tri- 
fina was one of the royal family ; 
and she thus expressed her sor- 
row, and said, Alas ! I have 
trouble in my house on two ac- 
counts, and there is no one who 
will relieve me, either under the 
loss of my daughter, or my being 
unable to save Thecla. But 
now, O Lord God, be thou the 
helper of Thecla thy servant. 

10 While she was thus en- 
gaged, the governor sent one of 
his own officers to bring Thecla. 
Trifina took her by the hand, 
and, going with her, said, I went 
with Falconilla to her grave, and 
now must go with Thecla to the 
beasts. 

11 When Thecla heard this, 
she weeping prayed, and said, 
O Lord God, whom I have made 
my confidence and refuge, re- 
ward Trifina for her compassion 
to me, and preserving my chas- 
.tity. 

12 Upon this there was a 
great noise in the amphitheatre ; 
the beasts roared, and the peo- 

9 



pie cried out, Bring in the crim- 
inal. 

13 But the women cried out, 
and said, Let the whole city 
suffer for such crimes ; and order 
all of us, O governor, to the same 
punishment. O unjust judg- 
ment ! O cruel sight ! 

14 Others said, Let the whole 
city be destroyed for this vile 
action. Kill us all, O governor. 

cruel sight ! O unrighteous 
judgment ! 

CHAP. IX. 

1 Thecla thrown naked to the wild beasts ; 2 
they all refuse to attack her : 8 throws her- 
self into a pit of water. 10 Other wild 
beasts refuse her. 11 Tied to wild bulls. 
13 Miraculously saved. 21 Released. 24 
Entertained by Trifina. 

THEN Thecla was taken out 
of the hands of Trifina, 
stripped naked, had a girdle put 
on, and thrown into the place 
appointed for fighting with the 
beasts : and the lions and the 
bears were let loose upon her. 

2 But a she-lion, which was 
of all the most fierce, ran to 
Thecla, and fell down at her 
feet. Upon which the multitude 
of women shouted aloud. 

3 Then a she-bear ran fiercely 
towards her ; but the she-lion 
met the bear, and tore it in 
pieces. 

4 Again, a he-lion, who had 
been v/ont to devour men, and 
which belonged to Alexander, 
ran towards her ; but the she- 
lion encountered the he-lion, and 
they killed each other. 

5 Then the women were un- 
der a greater concern, because 
the she-lion, which had helped 
Thecla, was dead. 

6 Afterwards they brought 

97 



The beasts refuse PAUL AND THECLA. to destroy Thecla 



out many other wild beasts ; but 
Thecla stood with her hands 
stretched towards heaven, and 
prayed ; and when she had done 
praying, she turned about, and 
saw a pit of water, and said, 
Now it is a proper time for me 
to be baptized. 

7 Accordingly she threw her- 
self into the water, and said, In 
thy name, O my Lord Jesus 
Christ, I am this last day bap- 
tized. The women and the 
people, seeing this, cried out, 
and said, Do not throw yourself 
into the water. And the gov- 
ernor himself cried out, to 
think that the fish (sea-calves) 
were like to devour so much 
beauty. 

8 J[ Notwithstanding all this, 
Thecla threw herself into the 
water in the name of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, 

9 But the fish (sea-calves), 
when they saw the lightning and 
lire, were killed, and swam dead 
upon the surface of the water, 
and a cloud of fire surrounded 
Thecla ; so that as the beasts 
could not come near her, so the 
people could not see her naked- 
ness. 

10 Yet they turned other 
wild beasts upon her ; upon 
which they made a very mourn- 
ful outcry ; and some of them 
scattered spikenard, others cas- 
sia, others amomus (a sort of 
spikenard, or the herb Jerusa- 
lem, or ladies' rose), others oint- 
ment ; so that the quantity of 
ointment was large, in proportion 
to the number of people; and 
upon this all the beasts lay as 
though they had been fast 



asleep, and did not touch 
Thecla. 

11 Whereupon Alexander said 
to the governor, I have some 
very terrible bulls ; let us bind 
her to them. To which the 
governor, with concern, repli- 
ed, You may do what you 
think fit. 

12 Then they put a cord 
round Thecla' s waist, which 
bound also her feet, and with it 
tied her to the bulls, to whose 
privy parts they applied red-hot 
irons, that so they, being the 
more tormented, might more 
violently drag Thecla about, till 
they had killed her. 

13 The bulls accordingly tore 
about, making a most hideous 
noise ; but the flame which was 
about Thecla, burnt off the 
cords which were fastened to 
the members of the bulls, and 
she stood in the middle of the 
stage, as unconcerned as if she 
had not been bound. 

14 But in the mean time Tri- 
fina, who sat upon one of the 
benches, fainted away and died ; 
upon which the whole city 
was under a very great con- 
cern. 

15 And Alexander himself 
was afraid, and desired the gov- 
ernor, saying, I entreat you, 
take compassion on me and the 
city, and release this woman, 
who has fought with the beasts ; 
lest both you and I, and the 
whole city, be destroyed : 

16 For if Caesar should have 
any account of what has passed 
now, he will certainly immedi- 
ately destroy the city, because 
Trifina, a person of royal ex- 



Thcola is 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



released: 



tract, and a relation of his, is 
dead upon her seat. 

17 Upon this the governor 
called Thecla from among the 
beasts to him, and said to her, 
Who art thou ? and what are 
thy circumstances, that not 
one of the beasts will touch 
thee ? 

18 Thecla replied to him, I 
am a servant of the living God ; 
and as to my state, I am a be- 
liever on Jesus Christ his Son, 
in whom God is well pleased ; 
and for that reason none of the 
beasts could touch me. 

19 He alone is the way to 
eternal salvation, and the foun- 
dation of eternal life. He is a 
refuge to those who are in dis- 
tress ; a support to the afflicted, 
hope and defence to those who 
are hopeless ; and in a word, all 
those who do not believe on him, 
shall not live, but suffer eternal 
death. 

20 ft When the governor 
heard these things, he ordered 
her clothes to be brought, and 
said to her, Put on your clothes. 

21 Theclaj-eplied: May that 
God who clothed me when I was 
naked among the beasts, in the 
day of judgment clothe your soul 
with the robe of salvation. Then 
she took her clothes and put 
them on ; and the governor im- 
mediately published an order in 
these words : I release to you 
Thecla the servant of God. 

22 Upon which the women 
all cried out together with a 
loud voice, and with one accord 
gave praise unto God, and said, 
There is but one God, who 
is the God of Thecla; the 



one God, who hath delivered 
Thecla. 

23 So loud were their voices, 
that the whole city seemed to 
be shaken ; and Trifina herself 
heard the glad tidings, and arose 
again, and ran with the multi- 
tude to meet Thecla ; and em- 
bracing her, said, Now I believe 
there shall be a resurrection of 
the dead ; now I am persuaded 
that my daughter is alive. Come 
therefore home with me, my 
daughter Thecla, and I will 
makeover all that I have to you. 

24 So Thecla went with Tri- 
fina, and was entertained there 
a few days, teaching her the 
word of the Lord, whereby 
many young women were con- 
verted ; and there was great joy 
in the family of Trifina. 

25 But Thecla longed to see 
Paul, and inquired and sent 
every where to find him; and 
when at length she was informed 
that he was at Myra in Lycia, 
she took with her many young 
men and women ; and putting 
on a girdle, and dressing herself 
in the habit of a man, she went 
to him to Myra in Lycia, and 
there found Paul preaching the 
word of God ; and she stood by 
him among the throng. 

CHAP. X. 

1 Thecla visits Paul, 6 visits Onesiphorus, 8 
visits her mother, 9 who repulses her. 12 
Is tempted by the devil. 16 Works miracles. 

UT it was no small surprise 
to Paul, when he saw her 
and the people with her ; for he 
imagined some fresh trial was 
coming upon them ; 

2 Vfhich when Thecla per- 
ceived, she said to him, I have 
99 



Thecla 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



visits Paul. 



been baptized, O Paul ; for he | 
who assists you in preaching, 
has assisted me to baptize. 

3 Then Paul took her, and 
led her to the house of Hermes ; 
and Thecla related to Paul all 
that had befallen her in Antioch, 
insomuch that Paul exceedingly 
wondered, and all who heard 
were confirmed in the faith, and 
prayed for Trifina's happiness. 

4 Then Thecla arose, and 
said to Paul, I am going to Ico- 
nium. Paul replied to her, Go 
and teach the word of the Lord. 

5 But Trifina had sent large 
sums of money to Paul, and also 
clothing by the hands of Thecla, 
for the relief of the poor. 

6 JI So Thecla went to Ico- 
nium. And when she came to 
the house of Onesiphorus, she 
fell down upon the floor where 
Paul had sat and preached, and 
mixing tears with her prayers, 
she praised and glorified God in 
the following words : 

7 O Lord the God of this 
house, in which I was first en- 
lightened by thee ; O Jesus, Son 
of the living God, who was my 
helper before the governor, my 
helper in the fire, and my 
helper among the beasts; thou 
alone art God for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

8 ft Thecla now (on her re- 
turn) found Thamyris dead, but 
her mother living. So, calling 
her mother, she said to her : 
Theoclia, my mother, is it possi- 
ble for you to be brought to a 
belief, that there is but one 
Lord God, who dwells in the 
heavens? If you desire great 
riches, God will give them to 

100 



you by me ; if you want your 
daughter again, here I am. 

9 These and many other 
things she represented to her 
mother, (endeavouring) to per- 
suade her (to her own opinion). 
But her mother Theoclia gave 
no credit to the things which 
were said by the martyr Thecla ; 

10 So that Thecla, perceiving 
she discoursed to no purpose, 
signing her whole body with 
the sign (of the cross), left the 
house, and went to Daphne ; and 
when she came there, she went 
to the cave, where she had found 
Paul with Onesiphorus, and fell 
down upon the ground, and 
wept before God. 

1 1 When she departed thence, 
she went to Seleucia, and en- 
lightened many in the knowledge 
of Christ. 

12 ft And a bright cloud con- 
ducted her in the journey. 

13 And after she had arrived 
at Seleucia, she went to a place 
out of the city, about the dis- 
tance of a furlong, being afraid 
of the inhabitants, because they 
were worshippers of idols. 

14 And she was led (by the 
cloud) into a mountain called 
Calamon,orRodeon. There she 
abode many years, and underwent 
agreatmanygrievoustemptations 
of the devil, which she bore in 
a becoming manner, by the assist- 
ance which she had from Christ. 

15 At length certain gentle- 
women, hearing of the virgin 
Thecla, went to her, and were 
instructed by her in the oracles 
of God, and many of them aban- 
doned this world, and led a mo- 
nastic life with her. 



Escapes 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



defilement. 



16 Hereby a good report was 
spread every where of T heel a, 
and she wrought several (mi- 
raculous) cures, so that all the 
city and adjacent countries 
brought their sick to that moun- 
tain, and before they came as 
far as the door of the cave, they 
were instantly cured of whatso- 
ever distemper they had. 

17 The unclean spirits were 
cast out, making a noise ; all re- 
ceived their sick made whole, and 
glorified God, who had bestowed 
such power on the virgin Thecla ; 

18 Insomuch that the physi- 
cians of Seleucia were now of 
no more account, and lost all 
the profit of their trade, because 
no one regarded them ; upon 
which they were filled with envy, 
and began to contrive what 
methods to take with this servant 
of Christ. 

CHAP. XL 

1 Is attempted to be ravished, 12 escapes by 
a rock opening, 17 and closing miracu- 
lously. 

THE devil then suggested 
bad advice to their minds ; 
and being on a certain day met 
together to consult, they reason- 
ed among each other thus : The 
virgin is a priestess of the great 
goddess Diana, and whatsoever 
she requests of her is granted, 
because she is a virgin, and so is 
beloved by all the gods : 

2 Now then let us procure 
some rakish fellows, and after 
we have made them sufficiently 
drunk, and given them a good 
sum of money, let us order them 
to go and debauch this virgin, 
promising them, if they do it, a 
larger reward. 

9* 



3 (For they thus concluded 
among themselves, that if they 
be able to debauch her, the gods 
will no more regard her, nor 
Diana cure the sick for her.) 

4 They proceeded according 
to this resolution, and the fel- 
lows went to the mountain, and 
as fierce as lions to the cave, 
knocking at the door. 

5 The holy martyr Thecla, 
relying upon the God in whom 
she believed, opened the door, 
although she was before appriz- 
ed of their design, and said to 
them, Young men, what is your 
business 1 

6 They replied, Is there any 
one within, whose name is Thec- 
la ? She answered, What 
would you have with her 1 They 
said, We have a mind to lie 
with her. 

7 The blessed Thecla an- 
swered : Though I am a mean 
old woman, I am the servant of 
my Lord Jesus Christ ; and 
though you have a vile design 
against me, ye shall not be able 
to accomplish it. They replied, 
It is impossible but we must be 
able to do with you what we 
have a mind. 

8 And while they were say- 
ing this, they laid hold on her 
by main force, and would have 
ravished her. Then she, with the 
(greatest) mildness, said to them, 
Young men, have patience, and 
see the glory of the Lord. 

9 And while they held her, 
she looked up to heaven, and 
said : O God most reverend, to 
whom none can be likened ; 
who makest thyself glorious over 
thine enemies; who didst deliv- 

101 



Introductory 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



notice. 



er me from the fire, and didst 
not give me up to Thamyris, 
didst not give me up to Alexan- 
der; who deliveredst me from 
the wild beasts; who didst pre- 
serve me in the deep waters ; 
who hast every where been my 
helper, and hast glorified thy 
name in me ; 

10 Now also deliver me from 
the hands of these wicked and 
unreasonable men, nor suffer 
them to debauch my chastity, 
which I have hitherto preserved 
for thy honour ; for I love thee, 
and long for thee, and worship 
thee, O Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, for evermore. Amen. 

11 Then came a voice from 
heaven, saying, Fear not, Thec- 
la, my faithful servant, for I 
am with thee. Look, and see 
the place which is opened for 
thee : there thy eternal abode 
shall be; there thou shalt re- 
ceive the (beatific) vision. 

12 The blessed Thecla, ob- 
serving, saw the rock opened, 
to as large a degree as that a 
man might enter in; she did 
as she was commanded, bravely 
fled from the vile crew, and went 
into the rock, which instantly 
so closed, that there was not 



any crack visible where it had 
opened. 

13 The men stood perfectly 
astonished at so prodigious a 
miracle, and had no power to 
detain the servant of God ; but 
only catching hold of her veil, 
(or hood) they tore off a piece 
of it; 

14 And even that was by the 
permission of God, for the con- 
firmation of their faith, who 
should come to see this venera- 
ble place, and to convey bless- 
ings to those in succeeding ages, 
who should believe on our Lord 
Jesus Christ from a pure heart. 

15 Thus suffered that first 
martyr and apostle of God, and 
virgin, Thecla ; who came from 
Iconium at eighteen years of 
age ; afterwards, partly in jour- 
neys and travels, and partly in a 
monastic life in the cave, she 
lived seventy-two years ; so that 
she was ninety years old when 
the Lord translated her. 

16 Thus ends her life. 

17 The day which is kept sa- 
cred to her memory, is the twen- 
ty-fourth of September, to the 
glory of the Father, and the 
Son, and the Holy Ghost, now 
and for evermore. Amen. 



The FIRST EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the CORIN- 
THIANS. 



[Clement was a disciple of Peter, and afterwards Bishop of Rome. Clemens Alexandrinas 
calls him an apostle, Jerome says he was an apostolical man, and Rufinus, that he was al- 
most an apostle. Eusehius calls this the wonderful Epistle of St. Clement, and says that it 
was publicly read in the assemblies of the primitive church. It is included in one of the 
ancient collections of tho Canons of Scripture. Its genuineness has been much questioned, 
particularly by Photius, patriarch of Constantinople iu the ninth century, who objects, that 

102 



Commends the 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



Corinthians. 



Clement speaks of worlds beyond the ocean , that he has not written worthily of the divin- 
ity of Christ •, and that, to prove the possibility of a future resurrection, he introduces 
the fabulous story of the phoenix's revival from its own ashes. To the latter objection, 
Archbishop Wake replies, that the generality of the ancient Fathers have made use of tha 
same instance in proof of the same point ; and asks, if St. Clement really believed that 
there was such a bird, and that it did revive out of the cinders of the body after burning, 
where was the great harm either in giving credit to such a wonder, or, believing it, to make 
such a use as he here does of it ? — The present is the Archbishop's translation from the an- 
cient Greek copy of the Epistle, which is at the end of the celebrated Alexandrine MS. of 
the Septuagint and New Testament, presented by Cyril, patriarch of Alexandria, to King 
Charles the First, now in the British Museum. The Archbishop, in prefacing his transla- 
tion, esteems it a great blessing that this Epistle " was at last so happily found out, for 
the increase and confirmation both of our faith and charity."] 



• CHAP. I. 

He commends them for their excellent order 
and piety in Christ, before their schism 
broke out. 

THE Church of God which 
1 is at Rome, to the Church 
of God which } is at Corinth, 
2 elect, sanctified, 3 by the will of 
God, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord : grace and peace from the 
Almighty God, by Jesus Christ, 
be multiplied unto you. 4 

2 fl Brethren, the 5 sudden 
and unexpected dangers and ca- 
lamities that have fallen upon 
us, have, we fear, made us the 
more slow in our consideration 
of those things which you in- 
quired of us : 

3 6 As also of that wicked 
and detestable sedition, so 7 un- 
becoming the elect of God, 
which a few heady and self-will- 
ed men have fomented to such a 
degree of madness, that your 
venerable and renowned name, 
so worthy of all men to be be- 
loved, is greatly blasphemed 
thereby. 

4 For who that has 8 ever 
been among you has not experi- 

r l Sojourneth. 

2 Called. See Dr. Hammond on Matt. 
xx. c. 

3 Gr. in. 

4 See Bishop Pearson's note on this 
place. Ed. Colomesii, p. 2. 

s Ibid. 6 And. 

7 Gr. Strange to. 



mented the firmness of your 
faith, 9 and its fruitfulness in all 
good works ; and admired the 
temper and moderation of your 
religion in Christ ; arid publish- 
ed abroad the magnificence of 
your hospitality ; and thought 
you happy in your perfect and 
certain knowledge of the Gospel? 
5 For ye did all things with- 
out respect of persons, and walk- 
ed 10 according to the laws of 
God ; being subject to those who 
had the rule over you, and giv- 
ing the honour that was fitting 
to such as were the n 



among you. 

6 Ye commanded the young 
men to think those things that 
were modest and grave. 

7 The women ye exhorted to 
do all things with an unblam- 
able, and seemly, and pure con- 
science ; loving their own hus- 
bands, as was fitting ; and that, 
keeping themselves within the 
12 bounds of a due obedience, 
they should 13 order their houses 
gravely with all l4 discretion. 

8 15 Ye were all of you hum- 

8 Gr. Lodged as a stranger; 

9 Adorned with all manner of virtues, ! 
10 In. u Presbyters. 

12 Canon, rule. 

13 Themselves do their own business. 
Vid. Not. Junii in loc. 

J 4 Temperance, sobriety. 
» 1 Pet. v. 5. 

103 



How the 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



divisions 



ble minded, not 1 boasting of 
any thing ; desiring rather to be 
subject than to govern ; to 2 give 
than to receive ; being 3 content 
with the portion God had dis- 
pensed to you : 

9 And hearkening diligently 
to his word, ye 4 were enlarged 
in your bowels, having his 5 suf- 
ferings always before your eyes. 

10 Thus a firm, and 6 bless- 
ed, and profitable peace was 
given unto you ; and an unsal- 
able desire of doing good ; and 
a plentiful effusion of the Holy 
Ghost was upon all of you. 

11 And being full of 7 good 
designs, ye did with 8 great 
readiness of mind, and with a 
religious confidence, stretch forth 
your hands to God Almighty ; 
beseeching him to be merciful 
unto you, if in any thing ye had 
unwillingly sinned against him. 

12 Ye contended day and 
night for the whole brotherhood ; 
that 9 with compassion, and a 
good conscience, the number of 
his elect might be saved. 

13 Ye were sincere, and 
without offence towards each 
other ; not mindful of injuries : 
all sedition and schism was an 
abomination unto you. 

14 Ye bewailed every one his 
neighbour's sins, esteeming their 
defects your own. 

15 Ye 10 were kind one to 
another without grudging ; being 
ready to every good work. And 

1 Proud. 2 Acts xx. 35. 

3 1 Tim. vi. 8. 

4 Embraced it in your very bowels. 

5 Ua9r,ixaTa. Sec Dr. Grebe's Addit. 
to Bishop Bull's Dei. fid. iNic. p. GO, 61. 

6 Gr. \cnapa. 

7 Holy counsel, or purpose, or will. 

8 Gr. good. 

104 



being adorned with a conversa- 
tion altogether virtuous and re- 
ligious, ye did all things in the 
fear of God ; whose u com- 
mandments were written upon 
the tables of your heart. 

CHAP. II. 

How their divisions began. 

LL honour and enlarge- 
ment was given unto you ; 
and so was fulfilled that which 
is written, 12 My beloved did eat 
and drink, he was enlarged, and 
waxed fat, and he kicked. 

2 From hence came emula- 
tion, and envy, and strife, and 
sedition ; persecution and 13 dis- 
order, war and captivity. 

3 So they who were of no 
renown, lifted up themselves 
against the honourable ; those 
of no reputation, against those 
that were in respect ; the foolish 
against the wise ; the young men 
against the aged. 

4 Therefore righteousness 
and peace are departed from 
you, because every one hath for- 
saken the fear of God; and is 
grown blind in his faith ; nor 
walketh by the rule of God's 
commandments, nor liveth as is 
fitting in Christ : 

5 But every one 14 follows his 
own wicked lusts; having taken 
up an unjust and wicked envy, 
by which death first entered into 
the world. 

9 With mercy and conscience. 

10 Ye were without repentance in all 
well-doing, Titus iii. 1. 

11 Pro v. vii. 3. 

'2 Deut. xxxii. 15. 

13 Confusion, tumults, &c. 

J 4 Walketh after. 



began in 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



the Church. 



CHAP. III. 



Envy and emulation the original of all strife 
and disorder. Examples of the mischiefs 
they have occasioned. 

FOR thus it is written, *And 
in process of time it came 
to pass, that Cain brought of the 
fruit of the ground an offering 
unto the Lord. And Abel, he 
also brought of the firstlings of 
his flock, and of the fat thereof: 

2 And the Lord had respect 
unto Abel, and to his offering. 
But unto Cain, and unto his 
offering, he had not respect. 
And Cain was very sorrowful, 
and his countenance fell. 

3 And the Lord said unto 
Cain, Why art thou sorrowful 1 
And why is thy countenance 
fallen? 2 if tno u shalt offer 
aright, but not divide aright, hast 
thou not sinned? Hold thy 
peace : unto thee shall be his 
3 desire, and thou shalt rule over 
him. 

4 And Cain said unto Abel 
his brotter, Let us go down into 
the field. And it came to pass 
as they were in the field, that 
Cain rose up against Abel his 
brother, and slew him. 

5 Ye see, brethren, how envy 
and emulation wrought 4 the 
death of a brother. For 5 this 
our father 6 Jacob fled from the 
face of his brother Esau. 

6 It was this that caused 
7 Joseph to be persecuted even 
unto death, and to come into 

» Gen. iv. 3, &c. 

2 This is according- to the lxx. 

3 ' \-oaToo<pT) } conversion. 

* Fratricide. 5 Envy. 

6 Gen. xxviii. 7 Gen. xxxvii. 

8 Exod. ii. 15. 9 Exod. ii. 14. 

10 Made to lodge out. Num. xii. 14, 15. 
»> Brought. 12 Hades. 



bondage. Envy forced 8 Moses 
to flee from the face of Pharaoh 
king of Egypt, when he heard 
his own countrymen ask him, 
9 Who made thee a judge, and a 
ruler over us? Wilt thou kill 
me, as thou didst the Egyptian 
yesterday ? 

7 Through envy Aaron and 
Miriam were 10 shut out of the 
camp, from the rest of the con- 
gregation, seven days. 

8 Emulation n sent Dathan 
and Abiram quick into 12 the 
grave, because they raised up a 
sedition against Moses, the ser- 
vant of God. 

9 For this David 13 was not 
only hated of strangers, but 
was persecuted even by Saul the 
king of Israel. 

10 But 14 not to insist upon 
ancient examples, let us come 
to those 15 worthies that have 
been nearest to us ; and take 
the brave examples of our own 
age. 

11 Through zeal and envy, 
16 the most faithful and righteous 
pillars of the church have been 
persecuted even to the most 
grievous deaths. 

12 Let us set before our eyes 
the 17 Holy Apostles : Peter by 
unjust envy underwent not one 
or two, but many 18 sufferings ; 
19 till, at last, being martyred, he 
went to the place of glory that 
was due unto him. 

13 20 p or tne S ame cause, did 

13 Had, or underwent the hatred, not 
only, &c. 

14 To cease from. 

15 Combatants, wrestlers. 

16 The faithful and most righteous. 

17 Good. 18 Labours, 
is And so. 20 By envy. 

105 



Exhorts them 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



to live orderly y 



Paul in like manner receive the 
reward of his patience. Seven 
times 1 he was in bonds ; he 
was whipped, was stoned; he 
preached both in the East and 
in the West ; 2 leaving behind 
him the glorious report of his 
faith : 

• 14 And so having taught the 
whole world righteousness, and 
for that end travelled even to the 
utmost bounds of the West, he 
at last suffered martyrdom 3 by 
the command of the governors, 

15 And departed out of the 
world, and went unto his holy 
place ; being become a most 
eminent pattern of patience unto 
all ages. 

16 To these 4 Holy Apostles 
were joined a very great number 
of others, who, having through 
envy undergone in like manner 
many pains and torments, have 
5 left a glorious example to us. 

17 For 6 this not only men, 
but women, have been persecut- 
ed : 7 and having suffered very 
grievous and 8 cruel punish- 
ments, have finished the course 
of their faith with firmness ; and 
though weak in body, yet re- 
ceived a glorious reward. 

18 9 This has alienated the 
minds even of women from their 
husbands ; and changed what 
was once said by our father 

1 Having borne seven times bonds/cc. 

2 He received the, &c. 

3 Vide Pearson de Success, c. viii. § 9. 

4 Men who have lived godly, are gath- 
ered together. 

5 Become an excellent example among 
us. 

6 Envy. 

7 The names of Danac and Dirce I 
omit. — See Junius Annot. in loc. 

8 Cursed afflictions or torments. 
Envy or emulation. 

106 



Adam ; 10 This is now bone of 
my bone, and flesh of my flesh. 
19 In a word, envy and strife 
have overturned u whole cities, 
and rooted out great nations from 
off the earth. 

CHAP. IV. 

He exhorts them to live by the rules, and re- 
pent of their divisions, and they shall be for- 
given. 

THESE things, beloved, we 
12 write unto you, not only 

13 for your instruction,but also for 
our own remembrance. 

2 For we are all in the same 

14 lists, and the same combat is 

15 prepared for us all. 

3 Wherefore let us lay aside 
all vain and empty cares; and 
let us come up to the glori- 
ous and venerable rule of our 
holy calling. 

4 16 Let us consider what is 
good, and acceptable, and well- 
pleasing in the sight of him that 
made us. 

5 Let us look steadfastly to 
the blood of Christ, ami see how 
precious his blood is in the sight 
of God : which, being shed for 
our salvation, 17 has obtained the 
grace of repentance for all the 
world. 

6 Let us 18 search into all the 
ages that have gone before us ; 
and let us learn that our Lord 
has 19 in every one of them still 



Gen. ii. 23. 

Great. 

Send. 

Instructing you, but also remember- 

&c. 

Place of encounter. I 

Imposed upon us all. 

1 Tim. v. 4. 

Afforded or given to. 

Look diligently to. 

From age to age. 



and sets 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



before them 



given place for repentance to all 
such as would l turn to him. 

7 2 Noah preached repentance: 
and as many as hearkened to 
him were saved. 3 Jonah de- 
nounced destruction against the 
Ninevites : 

8 Howbeit they, repenting of 
their sins, appeased God by their 
prayers, and 4 were saved, though 
they were strangers to the cove- 
nant of God. 

9 fl Hence we find how all 
the ministers of the grace of God 
have spoken by the Holy Spirit 
of repentance. And even the 
Lord of all has himself 5 declared 
with an oath concerning it ; 

10 6 As I live, saith the Lord, 
I desire not the death of a sin- 
ner, 7 but that he should repent. 
Adding further this good sen- 
tence, saying, 8 Turn from your 
iniquity, O house of Israel. 

11 9 Say unto the children of 
my people, Though your sins 
should reach from earth to heav- 
en ; and though they should be 
redder than scarlet, and blacker 
than sackcloth, yet if ye shall 
turn to me with all your heart, 
and shall call me Father, I will 
hearken to you, as to a holy 
people. 

12 And in another place he 
saith on this wise : 10 Wash ye, 
make you clean ; put away n the 
evil of your doings from before 
mine eyes ; cease to do evil, learn 

1 Be turned. 

2 2 Peter ii. 5. Gen. vii. 

3 Jon. iii. 

* Received salvation. 

5 Spoken. 

8 Ezek. xxxiii. 11. 

7 So much as his repentance. 

8 Repent from. Ezek. xviii. 30, 32. 

9 Isaiah i. Jer. iii. 4, 19. 



to do well ; seek judgment ; re- 
lieve the oppressed, judge the 
fatherless, plead for the widow. 

13 Come now and let us rea- 
son together, saith the Lord : 
though your sins be as scarlet, 
they shall be as white as snow ; 
though they be red as crimson, 
12 they shall be as wool. 

14 If ye be willing and obe- 
dient, ye shall eat the good of 
the land : but, if ye refuse and 
rebel, ye shall be devoured with 
the sword ; for the mouth of the 
Lord hath spoken it. 

15 These things has God es- 
tablished by his almighty will, 
desiring that all his beloved 
should come to repentance. 

CHAP. V. 

He sets before them the examples of holy men 
whose piety is recorded in the Scriptures. 

WHEREFORE let us obey 
his excellent and glori- 
ous will ; and 13 imploring his 
mercy and goodness, let us fall 
down upon our faces before 
him, and l4 cast ourselves upon 
his mercy; laying aside all 15 van- 
ity, and contention, and envy 
which leads unto death. 

2 Let us look up to those who 
have the most perfectly minis 
tered to his excellent glory. Let 
us take Enoch for our example ; 
who being found righteous in 
obedience, was 16 translated, and 
his death was not 17 known. 

3 Noah, 18 being proved to be 

io Isaiah, i. 16. 

11 Evil from your souls. 

12 I will make them white as wooJ. 

13 Becoming - suppliants of, &c. 

14 Turn ourselves to his mercy. 

15 Vain labour. 

16 Gen. v. 24. 
n Found. 

J 8 Being found. 

107 



examples of 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



holy men. 



faithful, did by his ministry 
preach l regeneration to the 
world; and the Lord saved by 
him all the living creatures, that 
went 2 with one accord together 
into the ark. 

4 3 Abraham, who was called 
God's friend, was in like man- 
ner found faithful ; inasmuch 
as he obeyed the 4 commands of 
God. 

5 By obedience 5 he went out 
of his own country, and from his 
own kindred, and from his fa- 
ther's house ; that so forsaking a 
small country, and a weak affin- 
ity, and a little house, he might 
inherit the promises of God. 

6 For thus God said unto him : 
6 Get thee out of thy country, and 
from thy kindred, and from thy 
father's house, unto a land that 
I will show thee. 

7 And I will make thee a 
great nation, and I will bless 
thee, and make thy name great, 
and thou shalt be blessed. And 
I will bless them that bless thee, 
and curse them that curse thee ; 
and in thee shall all families of 
the earth be blessed. 

8 And again, when he sepa- 
rated himself from Lot, God said 
unto him, 7 Lift up now thine 
eyes, and look from the place 
where thou art, northward and 
southward, and eastward and 
8 westward : for all the land 
which thou seest, to thee will I 
give it, and to thy seed for ever. 

1 Gen. vi. vii. viii. 

2 In unity. 

3 James"ii. 23. Isaiah xli. 8, 

4 Words. 

5 This man. 

6 Gen. xii. 1. 

7 Gen. xiii. 14. 

8 Towargs the sea. 

108 



9 And I will make thy seed 
as the dust of the earth, so that 
if a man can number the dust of 
the earth, then shall thy seed 
also be numbered. 

10 And again he saith : And 
9 God brought forth Abraham, 
and said unto him, Look now 
towards heaven, and tell the stars, 
if thou be able to number them : 
so shall thy seed be. 

11 And Abraham believed 
God, and it was counted to him 
for righteousness. 

12 Through faith and hospi- 
tality, 10 he had a son given him 
in his old age ; and through obe- 
dience he offered him up in sa- 
crifice to God, upon one of the 
mountains which God showed 
unto him. 

CHAP. VI. 

And particularly such as have been eminent 
for their kindness and charity to their 
neighbours. 

BY n hospitality and godliness 
was Lot saved out of Sod- 
om, when all the country round 
about was 12 destroyed by fire 
and brimstone : 

2 The Lord thereby making 
it manifest, that he will not for- 
sake those that trust in him ; 
but 13 will bring the disobedient 
to punishment and correction. 

3 For his wife, who went out 
with him, being of a different 
mind, 14 and not continuing in the 
same obedience, was for that 
reason 15 set forth for an example, 

9 Gen. xv. 5. 

10 A son was given unto him. 

» Gen. xix. 2 Peter ii. 6. Jude 7. 

12 See Not. Junii. in loc, or punished 
with. 

13 But those that turn another way, he 
puts, &.C. 

14 Not in concord. 15 Put for a sign. 



Examples of 



I. CORINTHIANS, kindness and cliatity. 



being turned into a pillar of salt 
unto this day. 

4 That so all men may know, 
that those who are double minded 
and distrustful of the power of 
God, are 1 prepared for condem- 
nation, and to be a sign to all 
succeeding ages. 

5 2 By faith and hospitality 
was Rahab the harlot saved. 
For when the spies were sent by 
Joshua, the son of Nun, to search 
out Jericho, and the king of Jer- 
icho knew that they were come 
to spy out his country, he 3 sent 
men to take them, that so they 
might be put to death. 

6 4 Rahab, therefore, being 
hospitable, received them, and 
hid them under the stalks of flax, 
on the top of her house. 

7 And when the 5 messengers 
that were sent by the king came 
unto her, and asked her, saying, 
6 There came men unto thee to 
spy out the land, bring them forth, 
for so hath the king command- 
ed ; she answered, 7 The two men 
whom ye seek came unto me, but 
presently they departed, and are 
gone : 8 Not discovering them 
unto them. 

8 Then she said to the 9 spies, 
10 1 know that the Lord your God 
11 has given this city into your 
hands ; for the fear of you is 
fallen upon all that dwell therein. 
When, therefore, ye shall have 



1 Become. 2 Josh. ii. 1, &c. 

3 He sent men that should take them, 
that being- taken, &c. 

4 Therefore hospitable Rahab. 

5 Men being- sent by the king, and say- 
ing. 

e Josh. ii. 3. 

7 ibid. 4, 5. 

8 Vid. Conjectur. Coteler. in loc. 

10 



taken it, 12 ye shall save me and 
my father's house. 

9 And they answered her, 
saying, It shall be as thou hast 
spoken unto us : 13 Therefore, 
when thou shalt know that we 
are near, thou shalt gather all 
thy family together upon the 
house-top, and they shall be 
saved : but all that shall be found 
without thy house, shall be de- 
stroyed. 

10 14 And they gave her more- 
over a sign ; that she should hang 
out of her house a scarlet rope ; 
15 showing thereby, that by the 
blood of our Lord, there should 
be redemption to all that believe 
and hope in God. Ye see, be- 
loved, how there was not only 
faith, but prophecy too in this 
woman. 

CHAP. VII. 

What rules are given for this purpose. 

LET us, therefore, humble 
ourselves, brethren, laying 
aside all pride, and boasting, 
and foolishness, and anger : and 
let us do as it is written. 

2 For thus saith the Holy 
Spirit ; 16 Let not the wise man 
glory in his wisdom, nor the 
strong man in his strength, nor 
the rich man in his riches ; but 
let him that glorieth, glory in the 
Lord, to seek him, and to do 
judgment and justice. 

3 Above all, remembering the 

9 Men. io Josh. ii. 9. 

11 Given you this city. 
52 Josh. ii. 13. 

13 Ibid. 18, 19. 

14 Ibid. 18. 

15 Many of the Fathers have applied this 
to the same purpose. — See not, Coteler. 
in loc. 

is Jer. ix. 23. Comp. 2 Cor. xi. 30. 

109 



Exhorts to 



I. CORINTHIANS, kindness and charity. 



words of the Lord Jesus, which 
he spake * concerning equity and 
long-suffering, 2 saying, 

4 3 Be ye merciful, and ye 
shall obtain mercy ; forgive, and 
ye shall be forgiven ; as ye do, 
so shall it be done unto you ; as 
ye give, so shall it be given unto 
you ; as ye judge, so shall ye be 
judged ; as ye are kind to oth- 
ers, so shall God be kind to you ; 
with what measure ye mete, with 
the same shall it be measured to 
you again. 

5 By this command, and by 
these rules, let us establish our- 
selves, that so we may always 
walk obediently to his holy words; 
being humble minded : 

> 6 For so says 4 the Holy Scrip- 
ture ; 5 upon whom shall I look, 
even upon him that is poor and 
of a contrite spirit, and that trem- 
bles at my word. 

7 fl It is, therefore, just and 
6 righteous, men and brethren, 
that we should become obedient 
unto God, rather than follow such 
as, 7 through pride and sedition, 
have made themselves the ring- 
leaders of a detestable emulation. 

8 For it is not an ordinary 
harm that we shall do ourselves, 
but rather a very great danger 
that we shall run, if we shall 
rashly give up ourselves to the 
wills of men, who 8 promote strife 
and seditions, to turn us aside 
from that which is fitting. 

9 But let us be kind to one 

1 Teaching us. 

2 For thus he saith. 

3 Luke vi. 36. 
* Holy word. 

5 Isaiah lxvi. 2. 

« Holy. » In. 

8 Prick on to. — See Junius Ann. 

8 Psalm xxx vii. 9. 

110 



another, according to the com- 
passion and sweetness of him 
that made us. 

10 For it is written, 9 The 
merciful shall inherit the earth ; 
and they that are without evil 
shall be left upon it : 10 but the 
transgressors shall perish from 
off the face of it. 

11 And again he saith, 11 1 
have seen the wicked in great 
power, and spreading himself 
like the cedars of Libanus. I 
passed by, and lo he was not ; I 
sought his place, but it could not 
be found. 

12 Keep innocency, and do 
the thing that is right ; for there 
shall be a remnant to the peace- 
able man. 

13 Let us, therefore, hold fast 
to those who 12 religiously follow 
peace ; and not to such as 13 only 
pretend to desire it. 

14 For he saith in a certain 
place, 14 This people honoureth 
me with their lips, but their heart 
is far from me. 

15 And again, They 15 bless 
with their mouth, 16 but curse in 
their heart. 

16 And again he saith, 17 They 
loved him with their mouth, and 
with their tongue they lied to 
him. For their heart was not 
right with him, neither were they 
faithful in his covenant. 

17 18 Let all deceitful lips be- 
come dumb, and the tongue that 
speaketh proud things. Who 

10 Prow ii. 22. 

11 Psalm xxx vii. 3G. 

12 With religion or godliness. 

13 With hypocrisy will it. 

14 Isaiah xxix. 13. Psalm lxxii. 4. 

15 Blessed. 16 Cursed. 
17 Psalm lxxviii. 36, 37. 

w Psalm xii. 3. 



Advises to be 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



humble, front 



have said, 1 With our tongue will 
we prevail ; our lips are our own, 
who is Lord over us ? 

18 For the oppression of the 
poor, for the sighing of the needy, 
now will I arise, saith the Lord ; 
I will set him in safety, I will 
deal confidently with him. 

CHAP. VIII. 

Ho advises them to be humble ; nnd that, from 
the examples of Jesus and of holy men in all 
ages. 

FOR Christ is theirs who are 
humble, and not who exalt 
themselves over his flock. The 
sceptre of the majesty of God, 
our Lord Jesus Christ, came not 
in the 2 sliow of pride and arro- 
gance, 3 though he could have 
done so ; but with humility, as 
the Holy Ghost had before spo- 
ken concerning him. 

2 For thus he saith, Lord, 
4 who hath believed our report, 
and to whom is the arm of the 
Lord revealed? For he shall 
grow up before him as a tender 
plant, and as a root out of a dry 
ground. 

3 He hath no form nor come- 
liness, and when we shall see 
him, there is no beauty that we 
should desire him. 

4 He is despised and rejected 
of men ; a man of sorrows and 
acquainted with grief. 

5 And we hid, as it were, our 
faces from him; he was despised, 
and we esteemed him not. 

6 Surely he hath borne our 
griefs, and carried our sorrows : 
yet we did esteem him stricken, 
smitten of God, and afflicted. 

1 We will magnify our tongue. 

2 Boasting. 



7 But he was wounded for our 
transgressions ; he was bruised 
for our iniquities ; the chastise- 
ment of our peace was upon 
him ; and with his stripes we are 
healed. 

8 All we like sheep have gone 
astray ; we have turned every 
one to his own way, and the 
Lord hath laid on him the ini- 
quity of us all. 

9 He was oppressed, and he 
was afflicted, yet he opened not 
his mouth : he is brought as a 
lamb to the slaughter ; and as a 
sheep before her shearers is 
dumb, so he opened not his 
mouth. 

10 He was taken from prison, 
and from judgment; and who 
shall declare his generation? 
For he was cut off out of the land 
of the living; for the transgres- 
sion of my people was he 
stricken. 

11 And he made his grave 
with the wicked, and with the 
rich in his death ; because he had 
done no violence, neither was 
any deceit in his mouth. 

12 Yet it pleased the Lord to 
bruise him ; he hath put him to 
grief: when thou shalt make his 
soul an offering for sin, he shall 
see his seed, he shall prolong 
his days; and the pleasure of 
the Lord shall prosper in his 
hand. 

13 He shall see of the travail 
of his soul and shall be satisfied ; 
by his knowledge shall my right- 
eous servant justify many : for he 
shall bear their iniquities. 

14 Therefore will I divide 

3 Kairtsp Svvanevos, though he were 
powerful. 

•» Isaiah liii., according to the Hebrew. 
Ill 



pious examples 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



of holy men. 



him a portion with the great, 
and he shall divide the spoil with 
the strong; because he hath 
poured out his soul unto death ; 
and he was numbered with 
the transgressors, and he bare 
the sin of many, and made in- 
tercession for the transgressors. 

15 And again he himself 
saith, x I am a worm, and no man, 
a reproach of men, and despised 
of the people. All they that see 
me laugh me to scorn; they 
shoot out their lips, they shake 
their head, saying, He trusted in 
the Lord that he would deliver 
him, let him deliver him seeing 
he delighted in him. 

16 Ye see, beloved, what the 
pattern is that has been given to 
us. For if the Lord thus hum- 
bled himself, what should we do 
who are brought 2 by him under 
the yoke of his grace 1 

17 Let us be followers of 
those who went about in goat- 
skins and sheep-skins, preach- 
ing the coming of Christ. 

18 3 Such were Elias and 
Elisseus, and Ezekiel, the proph- 
ets. 4 And let us add to these 
such others as have received the 
like testimony. 

19 Abraham has been greatly 
witnessed of; having been called 
the friend of God. And yet he, 
steadfastly beholding the glory 
of God, says with all humility, 
5 I am dust and ashes. 



1 Psalm xxii. 6. 

2 Ms. 61 avrov. 

3 We say. 

4 To these, those also that have been 
witnessed of. 

5 Gen. xviii. 27. 

« Job i. 1. 

7 Job xiv. 4. 

112 



20 Again, of Job it is thus 
written, 6 That he was just and 
without blame, true; one that 
served God, and abstained from 
all evil. Yet he, accusing him- 
self, says, 7 No man is free from 
pollution, no, not though he 
should live but one day. 

21 Moses was called faithful 
in all God's House ; and by his 
conduct 8 the Lord punished Is- 
rael by stripes and plagues. 

22 And even this man, though 
thus greatly honoured, spake not 
greatly of himself; but when the 
oracle of God was delivered to 
him out of the bush, he said, 
9 Who am I that thou, dost send 
me ? I am of a slender voice, 
and a slow tongue. 

23 And again he saith, 10 1 am 
as the smoke of the pot. 

24 And what shall we say of 
David, so highly testified of in 
the Holy Scriptures ? To whom 
God said, u I have found a man 
after my own heart, David the 
son of Jesse ; with my holy oil 
have I anointed him. 

25 But yet he himself saith 
unto God, 12 Have mercy upon 
me, O God, according to thy 
loving kindness ; according unto 
the multitude of thy tender mer- 
cies blot out my transgres- 
sions. 

26 Wash me thoroughly from 
mine iniquity, and cleanse me 
from my sin. For I acknowl- 



8 MS. eKpivev h 0eoj tov laparjX Sid rSy 
fiaariyiov. 

9 Exod. iii. 11. 

10 Exod. iv. 10. 

11 Psalin lxxxix. 20. 

12 Psalm li. to v. 17., according- to the 
Hebrew. 



Persuades 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



to unity. 



edge my transgressions, and my 
sin is ever before me. 

27 Against Thee only have I 
sinned, and done this evil in thy 
sight, that thou mightest be jus- 
tified when thou speakest, and 
be clear when thou judgest. 

28 Behold I was shapen in 
iniquity, and in sin did my mo- 
ther conceive me. 

29 Behold, thou desirest truth 
in the inward parts ; and in the 
hidden part thou shalt make me 
to know wisdom. 

30 Purge me with hyssop and 
I shall be clean, wash me and I 
shall be whiter than snow. 

31 Make me to hear joy and 
gladness, that the bones which 
thou hast broken may rejoice. 

32 Hide thy face from my 
sins, and blot out all my iniqui- 
ties. 

33 Create in me a clean heart, 
O God ; and renew a right spirit 
within me. 

34 Cast me not away from 
thy presence, and take not thy 
holy spirit from me. 

35 Restore unto me the joy 
of thy salvation, and uphold me 
with thy free spirit. 

36 Then will I teach trans- 
gressors thy ways, and sinners 
shall be converted unto thee. 

37 Deliver me from blood- 
guiltiness, O God, thou God of 
my salvation, and my tongue 
shall sing aloud of thy right- 
eousness. 

38 O Lord, open thou my 

1 Fearfulness. 

8 So great and such kind of men. 
3 Witnessed of, or celebrated. 
* In. 
- 5 Deeds or works. 

10* 



lips, and my mouth shall show 
forth thy praise. 

39 For thou desirest not sacri- 
fice, else would I give it ; thou 
delightest not in burnt-offerings. 

40 The sacrifices of God are 
a broken spirit ; a broken and a 
contrite heart, O God, thou wilt 
not despise. 

CHAP. IX. 

1 He again persuades them to compose their 
divisions. 

THUS has the humility and 
1 godly fear of these 2 great 
and excellent men, 3 recorded in 
the Scriptures, through obedi- 
ence, made not only us, but also 
the generations before us, better ; 
even as many as have received 
his holy oracles 4 with fear and 
truth. 

2 Having therefore so many, 
and such great and glorious 5 ex- 
amples, 6 let us return to that 
peace, which was the mark that 
from the beginning was set be- 
fore us: 

3 Let us look up to the Fa- 
ther and Creator of the whole 
world ; and let us hold fast to 
his glorious and exceeding gifts 
and benefits of peace. 

4 Let us 7 consider and be- 
hold with the eyes of our 8 un- 
derstanding his long-suffering 
will ; and think how gentle and 
patient he is towards his whole 
creation. 

5 The heavens, moving by his 
appointment, are subject to him 
in peace. 

6 Let us return to the mark of peace 
given to us from the beginning. 

7 See him with our understanding. 

8 Soul. 

113 



Exhorts to 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



obedience. 



6 Day and night accomplish 
the courses that he has allotted 
unto them, not disturbing one 
another. 

7 The sun and moon, and all 
the several 1 companies and con- 
stellations of the stars, run the 
2 courses that he has appointed 
to them in concord, without de- 
parting in the least from them. 

8 The fruitful earth yields its 
food plentifully in due season 
both to man and beast, and to 
all animals that are upon it, ac- 
cording to his will ; not 3 disput- 
ing, nor altering any thing of 
what was ordered by him. 

9 So also the unfathomable 
and unsearchable floods of the 
deep, are kept in by his com- 
mand : 

10 4 And the 5 conflux of the 
vast sea, being brought together 
by his order into its several col- 
lections, passes not the bounds 
that he has set to it ; 

11 But as he 6 appointed it, 
so it remains. For he said, 
7 Hitherto shalt thou come, and 
thy floods shall be broken within 
thee. 

12 The ocean, unpassable to 
mankind, and the worlds that are 
beyond it, are governed by the 
same commands of their great 
master. 

13 Spring and summer, au- 
tumn and winter, give place 
peaceably to each other. 

14 The several 8 quarters of 

1 Choruses. 

2 Bounds. 

3 Doubting. 

* Vid. Edit. Colonies, p. 53. 

5 Hollow, or depth. 

6 Commanded, so it docs. 

7 Job xxxviii. 

8 "Stations. 

114 



the winds fulfil their 9 work in 
their seasons, without offending 
one another. 

15 The ever-flowing foun- 
tains, made both for pleasure 
and health, never fail to reach 
out their breasts, to support the 
life of men. 

16 Even the smallest crea- 
tures 10 live together in peace 
and concord with each other. 

17 All these has the Great 
Creator and Lord of all com- 
manded to observe peace and 
concord ; being good to all. 

18 But especially to us who 
flee to his mercy through our 
Lord Jesus Christ ; to whom be 
glory and majesty for ever and 
ever. Amen. 

CHAP. X. 

He exhorts them to obedience, from the con- 
sideration of the goodness of God, and of 
his presence in every place. 



TAKE heed, beloved, that 
his many blessings be not 
to n us to condemnation ; ex- 
cept we shall walk worthy of 
him, doing with 12 one consent 
what is good and pleasing in his 
sight. 

2 13 The spirit of the Lord is 
a candle, searching out the in- 
ward parts of the belly. 

3 Let us therefore consider 
how near he is to us ; and how 
that none of our thoughts, or 
reasonings which we frame 
within ourselves, are 14 hid from 
him. 

9 Service. 

10 Mix together. 

11 All of us. 

12 With concord. 

13 Prov. xx. 27. 

14 That nothing is hid to him of our 
thoughts, or reasonings. 



The nature 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



offaitTu 



4 It is therefore just that we 
should not forsake our rank, by 
doing contrary to his will. 

5 Let us choose to offend a 
few foolish and inconsiderate 
men, lifted up and glorying l in 
their own pride, rather than God. 

6 Let us reverence our Lord 
Jesus Christ, whose blood was 
given for us. 

7 Let us honour those who 
are set over us ; let us respect 
the aged that are amongst us ; 
and let us instruct the younger 
men in the discipline and fear 
of the Lord. 

8 Our wives let us 2 direct to 
do that which is good. 

9 Let them show forth a 
lovely habit of purity in all their 
conversation ; with a sincere 
3 affection of meekness. 

10 Let the 4 government of 
their tongues 5 be made mani- 
fest by their silence. 

11 Let their charity be with- 
out respect of persons, alike to- 
wards all such as religiously fear 
God. 

12 Let your children 6 be bred 
up in the instruction of Christ : 

13 And especially let them 
learn how great a power humili- 
ty has with God ; how much a 
pure and holy charity avails 
with him ; how excellent and 
great his fear is ; and how it 
will 7 save all such as turn to 
him with holiness in a pure 
mind. 

14 For he is the searcher of 

1 In the pride of their own speech, or 
reason. 

2 Correct, or amend. 

3 Will, or counsel. 

4 Moderation. 

* Let them manifest. 



the thoughts and counsels of the 
heart; whose breath is in us, 
and when he pleases he can 
take it from us. 

CHAP. XI. 

Of faith ; and particularly what wo are te 
believe as to the resurrection. 

BUT all these things 8 must 
be confirmed by the faith 
which is in Christ ; for so he 
himself bespeaks us by the Holy 
Ghost. 

2 9 Come, ye children, and 
hearken unto me, and I will 
teach you the fear of the Lord. 
What man is there that desireth 
life, and loveth to see good 
days? 

3 Keep thy tongue from evil, 
and thy lips that they speak no 
guile. 

4 Depart from evil and do 
good ; seek peace and ensue it. 

5 The eyes of the Lord are 
upon the righteous, and his ears 
are open unto their prayers. 

6 But the face of the Lord is 
against them that do evil, to cut 
off the remembrance of them 
from the earth. 

7 The righteous cried, and 
the Lord heard him, and deliv- 
ered him out of all his troubles. 

8 10 Many are the n troubles 
of the wicked ; but they that 
trust in the Lord, mercy shall 
encompass them about. 

9 Our all-merciful and be- 
neficent Father hath bowels of 
compassion towards them that 
fear him ; and kindly and Iot- 

6 Partake of. 

' Saving. 

^ The faith confirms. 

9 Psalm xxxiv. 11. 

10 Psalm xxxii. 10. 

11 Scourges. 

115 



Proofs of 

ingly bestows his graces upon all 
such as come to him with a sim- 
ple mind. 

10 Wherefore let us not l wa- 
ver, neither let us have any 
doubt in our hearts, of his excel- 
lent and glorious gifts. 

11 2 Let that be far from us 
which is written, 3 Miserable are 
the double-minded, and those 
who are doubtful in their hearts. 

12 Who say, These things 
have we heard, and our fathers 
have told us these things. But 
behold we are grown old, and 
none of them has happened un- 
to us. 

13 O ye fools ! 4 consider the 
trees ; take the vine for an ex- 
ample. First it sheds its leaves ; 
then it buds ; after that it 
spreads its leaves ; then it flow- 
ers ; then comes the sour grapes ; 
and after them follows the ripe 
fruit. Ye see how in a little 
time the fruit of the trees comes 
to maturity. 

14 Of a truth, yet a little 
while and his will shall suddenly 
be accomplished. 

15 The Holy Scripture itself 
bearing witness, That 5 He shall 
quickly come and not tarry, and 
that the Lord shall suddenly 
come to his temple, even the 
13 holy one whom you look for. 

16 Let us consider, beloved, 
how the Lord does continually 
show us, that there shall be a 
future resurrection ; of which he 
has made our Lord Jesus Christ 

1 Be double-minded. 

2 Let the writing be far from us. 

3 James, i. 8. 

4 Compare yourselves unto a tree. 

5 Ex. MS. omitted by Junius, Hab. ii. 
3. Malach. iii. 1. 

116 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



the resurrection. 



the first-fruits, raising him from 
the dead. 

17 Let us 7 contemplate, be- 
loved, the resurrection that is 

8 continually made before our 
eyes. 

18 Day and night manifest a 
resurrection to us. The night 
lies down, and the day arises : 
again the day departs, and the 
night comes on. 

19 Let us behold the fruits of 
the earth. Every one sees how 
the seed is sown. The sower 

9 goes forth, and casts it upon the 
earth : and the seed which, when 
it was sown, fell upon the earth 
dry and naked, in time dissolves. 

20 And from the dissolution, 
the great power of the provi- 
dence of the Lord raises it 
again : and of one seed many 
arise, and bring forth fruit. 

CHAP. XII. 

The resurrection further proved. 

LET us consider that won- 
derful 10 type of the resur- 
rection, which is seen in the 
Eastern countries ; that is to 
say, in Arabia. 

2 There is a certain bird 
called a phcenix : of this there 
is never but one at a time ; and 
that lives five hundred years. 
And when the time of its disso- 
lution draws near, that it must 
die, it makes itself a nest of 
frankincense, and myrrh, and 
other spices, into which, when 
its time is fulfilled, it enters and 
dies. 

6 Coteltr. Ayye\os, Angel. 

7 See. 

8 Made every season. 

9 Went forth, and so in the rest. 
i° Sign. 



God'i 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



vengeance. 



3 But its flesh, putrefying, 
breeds a certain worm, which, 
being nourished with the juice 
of the dead x bird, brings forth 
feathers ; and when it is grown 
to 2 a perfect state, it takes up 
the nest in which the bones of 
its 3 parent lie, and carries it 
from Arabia into Egypt, to a 
city called Heliopolis : 

4 And flying in open day in 
the sight of all men, lays it 
upon the altar of the sun, and 
so returns from whence it came. 

5 The priests then search 
into the records of the time ; 
and find that it returned precise- 
ly at the end of five hundred 
years. 

6 And 4 shall we then think 
it to be any very great and 
strange thing for the Lord of all 
to raise up those that religious- 
ly serve him in the assurance 
of a good faith, when even by a 
bird he shows us the greatness 
of his power to fulfil his promise 1 

7 For he says in a certain 
place, Thou shalt raise me up, 
and I shall confess unto thee. 

8 And again, 5 1 laid me down 
and slept, and awaked, because 
thou art with me. 

9 And again, Job says, 6 Thou 
shalt raise up this flesh of mine, 
that has suffered all these things. 

10 Having therefore this hope, 
let us 7 hold fast to him who is 
faithful in all his promises, and 
righteous in all his judgments ; 
who has commanded us not to 
lie, how much more will he not 
himself lie 1 

1 Animal. 2 Strong. 

3 Progenitor. 4 Do, 

5 Psalm iii. 5. 6 Job xix. 26. 

7 Let our minds be fastened. 



11 For nothing is impossible 
with God, but to lie. 

12 Let his faith then be stir- 
red up again in us ; and let us 
consider that all things are nigh 
unto him. 

13 By the word of his 8 power 
he made all things; and by 
9 the same word he is able, 
(whenever he will,) to destroy 
them. 

14 10 Who shall say unto him, 
What dost thou ? Or who shall 
resist the power of his strength 1 

15 When, and as he pleased, 
11 he will do all things; and 
nothing shall pass away of all 
that has been determined by 
him. 

16 All things are open before 
him ; nor can any thing be hid 
from his counsel. 

17 12 The heavens declare the 
glory of God, and the firmament 
showeth his handy work. Day 
unto day uttereth speech, and 
night unto night showeth knowl- 
edge. There is no speech nor 
language where their voice is 
not heard. 

CHAP. XIII. 

It is impossible to escape the vengeance of 
God, if we continue in sin. 

SEEING then all things are 
seen and heard by God, 
let us fear him, and let us lay 
aside our wicked works which 
proceed from ill desires, that 
through his mercy we may be 
13 delivered from the 14 condem- 
nation to come. 

2 For whither can any of us 
flee from his mighty hand 1 Or 

8 Majesty. 9 His word. 

10 Wisd. xii. 12. n MS. noitjaci. 

12 Ifthe 7 &c. Psalm xix. 1. 

13 Covered. 14 Judgments. 

117 



How to livt 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



to please God. 



what world shall receive any of 
those who run away from 
him ? 

3 For thus saith the Scrip- 
ture in a certain place, l Whither 
shall I flee from thy spirit, or 
where shall I hide myself from 
thy presence 1 

4 If I ascend up into heaven, 
thou art there : if I shall go to 
the utmost parts of the earth, 
there is thy right hand : if I 
shall make my bed in the deep, 
thy Spirit is there. 

5 Whither then shall any one 



go 



hither shall he run from 



him that comprehends all things'? 

6 Let us therefore come to 
him with holiness of 2 heart, lift- 
ing up chaste and undefiled 
hands unto him : loving our 
gracious and merciful Father, 
who has made us 3 to partake of 
his election. 

7 For so it is written, 4 When 
the Most High divided the na- 
tions, when he separated the 
sons of Adam, he set the bounds 
of the nations, according to the 
number of his angels : 5 his 
people Jacob became the portion 
of the Lord, and Israel the lot 
of his inheritance. 

8 And in another place he 
saith, 6 Behold, the Lord taketh 
unto himself a nation, out of the 
midst of the nations, as a man 
taketh the first-fruits of his flour, 
7 and the Most Holy shall come 
out of that nation. 



1 Psalm exxxix. 7. 

2 Mind. 3 A part. 
4 Deut. xxxii. 8, 9. 

* So the lxx. 6 Deut. iv. 34. 

7 Isaiah xi. 1. 

8 Jam. iv. 6. 1 Pet. v. 5. 

9 The grape of God has been given. 

118 



CHAP. XIV. 

How we must live that we may please God, 

WHEREFORE, we being 
a part of the Holy One, 
let us do all those things that 
pertain unto holiness : 

2 Fleeing all evil-speaking 
against one another : all filthy 
and impure embraces, together 
with all drunkenness, youthful 
lusts, abominable concupiscen- 
ces, detestable adultery, and exe- 
crable pride. 

3 8 For God, saith he, resisteth 
the proud, but giveth grace to 
the humble. 

4 Let us therefore hold fast to 
those to whom 9 God has given 
his grace. 

5 And let us put on concord, 
being humble, temperate; free 
from all whispering and detrac- 
tion; and justified by our 10 ac- 
tions, not our words. 

6 For he saith, n Doth he that 
speaketh and heareth many 
things, and that is of a ready 
tongue, suppose that he is right- 
eous? 12 Blessed is he that is 
born of a woman, that liveth but 
a few days : 13 use not therefore 
much speech. 

7 Let our praise be of God, not 
of ourselves, for God hateth those 
that 14 commend themselves. 

8 Let the witness of our good 
actions be given to us of others, 
as it was given to the holy men 
that went before us. 

io Works. 

11 He that speaketh many things shall 
also hear, &e. 
" Job xi. 2, 3, lxx. 

13 Be not much in words. 

14 Are praised of. 



Justification by 



I. CORINTHIANS. faith and works. 



9 Rashness, and arrogance, 
and confidence, belong to them 
who are accursed of God : but 
equity, and humility, and mild- 
ness, to such as are blessed by 
him. 

10 Let us then lay hold of 
his blessing, and let us 1 consider 
what are the ways by which we 
may attain unto it. 

11 Let us 2 look back upon 
those things that have, happened 
from the beginning. 

12 For what was our father 
Abraham blessed 1 Was it not 
because that through faith he 
wrought righteousness and truth? 

13 Isaac, being 3 fully per- 
suaded of what he knew was to 
come, cheerfully yielded himself 
up for a sacrifice. Jacob with 
humility departed out of his own 
country, fleeing from his brother, 
and went unto Laban, and served 
him : and so the sceptre of the 
twelve tribes of Israel was given 
unto him. 

14 Now what the greatness 
of 4 this gift was, will plainly 
appear, if we shall take the 
pains distinctly to consider all 
the parts of it. 

15 For from him came the 
priests and Levites; who all 
ministered at the altar of God. 

16 From him came our Lord 
Jesus Christ, according to the 
flesh. 

17 From him came the kings 
and princes, and rulers in Judah. 



1 See what are the ways of his blessing. 

2 Unrol. 

3 With full persuasion, foreknowing 
what was to be, pleasingly became a 
sacrifice. 

4 The gifts that were given by him, 
were, he snail know whosoever will, one 



18 Nor were the rest of his 
5 tribes in any small glory ; God 
having promised that 6 thy seed 
(says he) shall be as the stars 
of heaven. 

19 They were all therefore 
7 greatly glorified, not for their 
own sake, or for their own 
works, or for the righteousness 
that they themselves wrought^ 
but through his will. 

20 And we also being called 
by the same will in Christ Jesus, 
are not justified by ourselves, 
neither by our own wisdom, or 
knowledge, or piety, or the 
works which we have done 8 in 
the holiness of our hearts ; 

21 But by that faith by which 
God Almighty has justified all 
men from the beginning ; to 
whom be glory for ever and 
ever, Amen. 

CHAP. XV. 

We are justified by faith ; yet this must not 
lessen our care to live well, nor our pleas- 
ure in it. 

WHAT shall we do there- 
fore, brethren? Shall 
we be slothful in well-doing, and 
lay aside our charity ? God for- 
bid that any such thing should 
be done by us. 

2 But rather let us hasten 
with all earnestness and readi- 
ness of mind to perfect every 
good work. For even the Cre- 
ator and Lord of all things him- 
self rejoices in his own works. 

3 By his 9 almighty power he 

by one, carefully and distinctly consider 
them. 

5 Sceptres : See Jun. Annot. 

6 Gen. xiii. 16. 

7 Glorified and magnified. 

8 In holiness of heart. 

9 All-greatest. 

119 



Of attaining 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



the reward. 



fixed the heavens, and by his 
incomprehensible wisdom he 
adorned them. 

4 He also divided the earth 
from the water, with which it is 
encompassed ; and fixed it as a 
secure tower, upon the founda- 
tion of his own will. 

5 He also, by his appointment, 
commanded all the living crea- 
tures that are upon it to exist. 

6 So likewise the sea, and all 
the creatures that are in it ; 
having first created them, he 
enclosed them therein by his 
power. 

7 And above all, he, with his 
holy and pure hands, formed 
man, the most excellent, and, as 
to his understanding, truly the 
greatest of all other creatures, 
the character of his own image. 

8 For so God says, l Let us 
make man in our image, after 
our own likeness : so God 
created man, male and female 
created he them. 

9 And having thus finished 
all these things, he commended 
all that he had made, and bless- 
ed them, and said, 2 Increase and 
multiply : 

10 We see how all righteous 
men have been adorned with 
good works : Wherefore even 
the Lord himself, having adorn- 
ed himself with his works, re- 
joiced. 

11 Having therefore 3 such an 
example, let us, without delay, 
4 fulfil his will ; and with all our 
strength, work the work of 
righteousness. 



1 Gen. i. 26, 
3 This. 
5 Work. 



27. 



2 Gen. i. 28. 
4 Come to. 
Isaiah xl. 10. hii. 11. 

120 



CHAP. XVI. 

This enforced, from the examples of the holy 
angels, and from the exceeding greatness of 
that reward which God has prepared for us. 

THE good workman with 
confidence receives the 
bread of his 5 labour ; but the 
sluggish and lazy cannot look 
him in the face that set him on 
work. 

2 We must therefore be ready 
and forward in well-doing : for 
from him are all things. 

3 And thus he foretells us, 
6 Behold, the Lord cometh, and 
his reward is with him, even 
before his face, to render to 
every one according to his work. 

4 He warns us therefore be- 
forehand, with all his heart, to 
this end, that we should not be 
slothful and negligent in 7 well- 
doing. 

5 Let our boasting, therefore, 
and our confidence be in 8 God : 
let us submit ourselves to hie 
will. Let us consider the whole 
multitude of his angels, how 
ready they stand to minister 
unto his will. 

6 As saith the Scripture, 
9 Thousands of thousands stood 
before him, and ten thousand 
times ten thousand ministered 
unto him. 10 And they cried, 
saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the 
Lord of Sabbaoth : n The whole 
earth is full of his glory. 

7 Wherefore let us also, being 
conscientiously gathered togeth- 
er in concord with one another, 
as it were with one mouth, cry 
earnestly unto him, that he 



7 Every good work. 
9 Dan. vn. 10. 
11 Every creature. 



s Him. 

io Isaiah vi. 3. 



of the 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



righteous^ 



would make us partakers of his 
great and glorious promises. 

8 For he saith, 1 Eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither 
have entered into the heart of 
man, the things which God has 
prepared for them that wait for 
him. 

CHAP. XVII. 

1 We must attain unto this reward by faith 
and obedience, which we must carry on in 
an orderly pursuing of the duties of our 
several stations, without envying or con- 
tention. 24 The necessity of different or- 
ders among men. 33 We have none of us 
any thing but what we received of God ; 
whom therefore we ought in every condition 
thankfully to obey. 

HOW blessed and wonder- 
ful, beloved, are the gifts 
of God ! 

2 Life in immortality ! bright- 
ness in righteousness ! truth in 
fuil assurance ! faith in confi- 
dence ! temperance in holiness ! 

3 And all this has 2 God sub- 
jected to our understandings : 

4 What therefore shall those 
things be which he has prepared 
for them that wait for him? 

5 The Creator and Father of 
3 spirits, the Most Holy ; he only 
knows both the 4 greatness and 
beauty of them. 

6 Let us therefore strive with 
all earnestness, that we may be 
found in the number of those 
that wait for him, that so we 
may receive the 5 reward which 
he has promised. 

7 But how, beloved, shall we 
do this ? 6 We must fix our 
minds by faith towards God, 
and seek those things that are 



1 Isaiah lxiv. 4. 

2 He. 

4 Quantity. 
6 If we shall. 



1 Cor. ii. 9. 

3 Ages, 
s Gifts. 



11 



pleasing and acceptable unto 
him. 

8 We must 7 act conformably 
to his holy will ; and follow the 
way of truth, casting off from us 
all unrighteousness and iniquity, 
together with all covetousness, 
strife, evil manners, deceit, whis- 
pering, detractions; all hatred 
of God, pride, and boasting; 
vain-glory, and ambition : 

9 For they that do these 
things are odious to God ; and 
not only they that do them, but 
also 8 all such as approve of 
those that do them. 

10 For thus saith the Scrip- 
ture, 9 But unto the wicked God 
said, What hast thou to do to 
declare my statutes, or that thou 
shouldst take my covenant in 
thy mouth? seeing that thou 
hatest instruction, and castest 
my words behind thee. 

11 When thou sawest a thief, 
then thou consentedst with him ; 
and hast been partaker with 
adulterers. Thou givest thy 
mouth to evil, and thy tongue 
frameth deceit. Thou sittest 
and speakest against thy brother; 
thou slanderest thine own moth- 
er's son. 

12 These things hast thou 
done, and I kept silence ; thou 
thoughtest that I was altogether 
such a one as thyself: but I will 
reprove thee, and set them in 
order before thine eyes. 

13 Now consider this, ye that 
forget God, lest I tear you in pie- 
ces, and there be none to deliver. 

7 Perform those things that are agree- 
able. 

s Rom. i. 32. 

9 Psalm I, 15, &c. ; according 1 to the 
Hebrew. 

121 



hy obedience in 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



our callings. 



14 Whoso offereth praise, 
glorifieth me : and to him that 
disposeth his way aright, will I 
show the salvation of God. 

15 This is the way, beloved, 
in which we may find x our 
Saviour, even Jesus Christ, the 
high-priest of all our offerings, 
the defender and helper of our 
weakness. 

16 By him we look up to the 
2 highest heavens, and behold, 
as in a glass, his spotless and 
most excellent visage. 

17 By him are the eyes of 
our hearts opened ; by him our 
foolish and darkened under- 
standing rejoiceth to behold his 
wonderful light. 

18 By him would God have 
us to taste the knowledge of 
immortality ; 3 who, being the 
brightness of his glory, is by so 
much greater than the angels, 
as he has by inheritance obtained 
a more excellent name than they. 

19 For so it is written, 4 Who 
maketh his angels spirits, and 
his ministers a flame of fire." 

20 But to his Son, thus saith 
the Lord, 5 Thou art my Son, 
to-day have I begotten thee. 

21 6 Ask of me, and I will 
give thee the heathen for thine 
inheritance, and the utmost parts 
of the earth for thy possession. 

22 And again he saith unto 
him, 7 Sit thou on my right 
hand, until I make thine enemies 
thy footstool. 

1 That which has the power to save us. 

2 Heights of heaven. 

3 Heb. i. 3, 4. 

4 Psalm civ. 4. Heb. i. 7. 

5 Heb. i. 5. 

6 Comp. Psalm ii. 7, 8. 

' Heb. i. 13. Psalm ex. 1. 

122 



23 But who are his enemies 1 
Even the wicked, and such who 
oppose their own wills to the 
will of God. 

24 Let us therefore 8 march 
on, men and brethren, with all 
earnestness, in his holy laws. 

25 Let us consider those who 
fight under our earthly govern- 
ors. How orderly, how readily, 
and with what exact obedience, 
they perform those things that 
are commanded them ! 

26 All are not 9 generals, nor 
10 colonels, nor u captains, nor 
12 inferior officers: 

27 But every one in his re- 
spective rank does what is com- 
manded him by the king, and 
those who have the authority 
over him. 

28 They who are great, can- 
not subsist without those that 
are little ; nor the little without 
the great. 

29 But there must be a mix- 
ture in all things, and then 
there will be use and profit too. 

30 Let us, 13 for example, take 
our body : the head without the 
feet is nothing, neither the feet 
without the head. 

31 And even the smallest 
members of our body are yet 
both necessary and useful to the 
whole body. 

32 But all conspire together, 
and 14 are subject to one common 
use, namely, the preservation of 
the whole 15 body. 

s War. 9 Prefects. 

10 Commanders of a thousand. 

11 Centurions. 

12 Commanders of 50, and so on. 

13 1 Cor. xii. 13, 21. 

14 Use one common subjection. 

15 MS. to cw/ta. 



Exhorts to order I. CORINTHIANS. 



in the churchy 



33 Let therefore our whole 
body be saved in Christ Jesus : 
and let every one be subject to 
his neighbour, * according to the 
order in which he is placed by 
the 2 gift of God. 

34 Let not the strong man 
despise the weak : and let the 
weak see that he reverence the 
strong. 

35 Let the rich man distribute 
to the necessity of the poor : 
and let the poor bless God, that 
he has given one unto him, by 
whom his want may be supplied. 

36 Let the wise man show 
forth his wisdom, not in words, 
but in good works. 

37 Let him that is humble, 
not bear witness to himself, but 
let him leave it to another to 
bear witness of him. 

38 Let him that is pure in 
the flesh, not grow proud of it, 
knowing that it was 3 from ano- 
ther that he received the gift of 
continence. 

39 Let us consider therefore, 
brethren, 4 whereof we are made; 
who, and what kind of men we 
came into the world, as it were 
out of a sepulchre, and from 
outer darkness. 

40 He that made us, and 
formed us, brought us into his 
own world ; having 5 prevented 
us with his benefits, even before 
we were born. 

41 Wherefore, having receiv- 
ed all these things from him, 
we ought in every thing to give 



1 As also he has been placed. 

2 His gift. 

3 Another that gave him. 

4 Of what matter. 

5 Prepared for us. 



thanks unto him : to whom be 
glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

CHAP. XVIII. 

From whence he exhorts them to do every 
thing orderly in the church, as the only way 
to please God. 

FOOLISH and unwise men, 
6 who have neither prudence 
nor learning, may mock and de- 
ride us ; being willing to set up 
themselves in their own conceits : 

2 7 But what can a mortal man 
do ? Or what strength is there 
in him that is made out of the 
dust? 

3 For it is written, There was 
no shape before mine eyes ; only 
I heard a 8 sound and a voice. 

4 9 For what ? Shall man be 
pure before the Lord ? Shall he 
be blameless in his works? 

5 Behold, he trusteth not in 
his servants ; and his angels he 
charged with folly. 

6 Yea, the heaven is not clean 
in his sight, how much less they 
that dwell in houses of clay ; of 
which also we ourselves were 
made? 

7 He smote them as a moth ; 
and from morning even unto the 
evening they endure not. Be- 
cause they were not able to help 
themselves they perished : he 
breathed upon them, and they 
died, because they had no wis- 
dom. 

8 10 Call now, if there be any 
that will answer thee ; and to 
which of the angels wilt thou 
look? 



6 And imprudent, and without instruc* 
tion, 

7 For. 3 An air. 

9 Job iv. 17, &c, xv. 15, iv. 19. 
i° Job v 1, <fec. 

123 



as pleasing 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



to God. 



9 For wrath killeth the fool- 
ish man, and envy slayeth him 
that is in error. 

10 I have seen the foolish 
taking root, but lo ! their habita- 
tion was presently consumed. 

11 Their children were far 
from safety, they 1 perished at 
the gates of those who were less- 
er than themselves ; and there 
was no man 2 to help them. 

12 For what was prepared for 
them, the righteous 3 did eat : 
and they shall not be delivered 
from evil. 

13 Seeing then these things 
are manifest unto us, it will be- 
hove us to take care that, look- 
ing into the depths of the divine 
knowledge, we do all things in 
order, whatsoever our Lord has 
commanded us to do. 

14 And particularly, that we 
perform our offerings and ser- 
vice to God at their appointed 
seasons : for these he has com- 
manded to be done, not 4 rashly 
and disorderly, but at certain 
determinate times and hours. 

15 And therefore he has or- 
dained by his supreme will and 
authority, both where, and by 
what persons, they are to be per- 
formed ; that so all things being 
piously done unto all well-pleas- 
ing, they may be acceptable unto 
5 him. 

16 They, therefore,who make 
their offerings at the appointed 
seasons, are happy and accept- 
ed; because that, obeying the 
commandments of the Lord, they 
are free from sin. 



1 Were crushed upon. 

2 Deliver. 

3 Eat. 4 By chance. 

124 



17 And the same care must 
be had of the persons that min- 
ister unto him. 

18 6 For the chief-priest has 
his proper services ; and to the 
priests their proper place is ap- 
pointed ; and to the Levites ap- 
pertain their proper ministries : 
and the layman is confined with- 
in the bounds of what is com- 
manded to laymen. 

19 Let every one of you, 
therefore, brethren, bless God in 
his proper station, with 7 a good 
conscience, and with all gravity, 
not exceeding the rule of his ser- 
vice that is appointed to him. 

20 The daily sacrifices are not 
offered every where; nor the 
peace-offerings, nor the sacrifices 
appointed for sins and transgres- 
sions ; but only at Jerusalem : 
nor in any place there, but only 
at the altar before the temple; 
that which is offered being first 
diligently examined by the high- 
priest and the other ministers we 
before mentioned. 

21 They therefore who do. any 
thing which is not agreeable to 
his will, are punished with death. 

22 8 Consider, brethren, that 
by how much the better knowl- 
edge God has vouchsafed unto 
us, by so much the greater dan- 
ger are we exposed to. 

CHAP. XIX. 

The orders of Ministers in Christ's Church es- 
tablished by the Apostles, according to 
Christ's command, 7 after the example of 
Moses. 16 Therefore they who have been 
duly placed in the ministry according to their 
order, cannot without great sin be put out 
of it. 

5 To his will. 6 See Cotcler. in loc. 

7 Being in a good conscience. 

8 Ye see. 



Christ's 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



command. 



THE Apostles have preached 
to us from our Lord Jesus 
Christ ; Jesus Christ from God. 

2 Christ therefore was sent by 
God, the Apostles by Christ : so 
both were orderly 1 sent, accord- 
ing to the will of God. 

3 For having received their 
command, and being thoroughly 
assured by the resurrection of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 and 
convinced by the word of God, 
with the 3 fulness of the Holy 
Spirit, they went abroad, pub- 
lishing, That the kingdom of 
God was at hand. 

4 And thus preaching through 
countries and cities, 4 they ap- 
pointed the first fruits of their 
conversions to be bishops and 
ministers over such as should 
afterwards believe, having first 
proved them by the Spirit. 

5 Nor was this any new thing ; 
seeing that long before it was 
written concerning bishops and 
deacons. 

6 For thus saith the Scripture, 
in a certain place ; 5 1 will ap- 
point their 6 overseers in right- 
eousness, and their ministers in 
faith. 

7 And what wonder if they, 
to whom such a work was com- 
mitted by God in Christ, estab- 
lished such officers as we before 
mentioned; when even that bless- 
ed and faithful servant in all his 
house, Moses, 7 set down in the 
Holy Scriptures all things that 
were commanded him. 



i Done. 2 1 Thess. i. 5. 

3 With the full assurance. 

4 Vid. Coteler. in loc. 

5 Isaiah, Ix. 17. 6 Bishops, deacons. 
7 Signified. 

11* 



8 Whom also all the rest of 
the prophets followed, bearing 
witness with one consent to those 
things that were appointed by 
him. 

9 For he, perceiving an 8 em- 
ulation to arise among the tribes 
concerning the priesthood, and 
that there was a strife about it, 
which of them should be adorned 
with that glorious name, com- 
manded their twelve captains to 
bring to him 9 twelve rods ; ev- 
ery tribe being written upon its 
rod, according to its name. 

10 And he took them and 
bound them together, and sealed 
them with the seals of the twelve 
princes of the tribes ; and laid 
them up in the tabernacle of 
witness, upon the table of 
God. 

11 And when he had shut the 
door of the tabernacle, he sealed 
up the keys of it, in like manner 
10 as he had done the rods ; and 
said unto them, Men and breth- 
ren, whichsoever tribe shall have 
its rod blossom, that tribe has 
God chosen to perform the office 
of a priest, and n to minister unto 
him in holy things. 

12 And when the morning 
was come, he called together all 
Israel, six hundred thousand 
men ; and showed to their 
princes the seals ; and opened 
the tabernacle of witness; and 
brought forth the rods. 

13 And the rod of Aaron was 
found not only to have blossom- 



8 An emulation happening. 

9 Numb. xvii. 

10 And the rods. 

11 To exercise the office of the priest- 
hood, and to minister, &c. 

125 



Of the orders 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



in the ministry. 



ed, but also to have fruit up- 
on it. 

14 What think you, beloved? 
Did not Moses before know 
1 what should happen 1 

15 Yes, verily : but to the end 
there might be no division, nor 
tumult in Israel, he did in this 
manner, that the name of the 
true and only God might be glo- 
rified : to him be honour for 
ever and ever, Amen. 

16 So likewise our Apostles 
knew by our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that there should contentions 
arise 2 upon the account of the 
ministry. 

17 And therefore, having a 
perfect fore-knowledge of this, 
they appointed persons, as we 
have before said, and then 3 gave 
directions,how,when they should 
die, other chosen and approved 
men should succeed in their 
ministry. 

18 Wherefore we cannot think 
that those may justly be thrown 
out of their ministry, who were 
either appointed by them, or af- 
terwards chosen by other emi- 
nent men, with the consent of 
the whole church : and who have 
with all lowliness and innocency 
ministered to the flock of Christ, 
in peace, and without self-inter- 
est, and were for a long time 
commended by all. 

19 For it would be no small 
sin in us, should we cast off those 
from their 4 ministry, who holily 
and without blame 5 fulfil the du- 
ties of it. 

1 That this should be so. 

2 About the name of the bishopric. 

3 Left a list of other chosen and ap- 
proved persons, who should succeed them 
in their ministry. See Dr. Arden's Disc. 

126 



20 Blessed are those priests, 
who, having finished their course 
before these times, have obtain- 
ed a fruitful and perfect disso- 
lution : for they have no fear, 
lest any one should turn them 
out of the place which is now 
appointed for them. 

21 But we see how you have 
put out some, who lived reputa- 
bly among you, from the minis- 
try, which by their innocence 
they had adorned. 

CHAP. XX. 

He exhorts them to peace from examplos out 
of the Holy Scriptures, 20 particularly from 
St. Paul's exhortation to them. 

YE are contentious, brethren, 
and zealous for things that 
pertain not unto salvation. 

2 Look into the Holy Scrip- 
tures, which are the true words 
of the Holy Ghost. Ye know 
that there is nothing unjust or 
counterfeit written in them. 

3 There you shall not find 
that righteous men were ever 
cast off by such as were good 
themselves. 

4 6 They were persecuted ; but 
it was by the wicked and un- 
just. 

5 They were cast into prison ; 
but they were cast in by those 
that were unholy. 

6 They were stoned; but it 
was by transgressors. 

7 They were killed; but by 
accursed men, and such as had 
taken up an unjust envy against 
them. 

upon this passage. Dr. Hammond's 
Power of the Keys, c. hi. p. 413. 

4 Bishopric. 

ft Offer the gifts. 

6 Just men. 



Exhorts 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



to peace. 



8 * And all these things they 
underwent gloriously. 

9 For what shall we say, 
brethren ? Was Daniel cast into 
the 2 den of lions by men fearing 
God? Ananias, Azarias, and 
Misael, were they 3 cast into the 
4 fiery furnace by men 5 profess- 
ing the excellent and glorious 
worship of the Most High ? God 
forbid. 

10 What kind of persons then 
were they that did these things? 
They were men abominable, full 
of all wickedness ; who were in- 
censed to so great a degree, as to 
bring those into sufferings, who 
with a holy and unblamable pur- 
pose of mind worshipped God ; 
not knowing that the Most High 
is the protector and defender of 
all such as with a pure con- 
science serve his 6 holy name : 
to whom be glory for ever and 
ever, Amen. 

11 But they who with a full 
persuasion have endured these 
things, 7 are made partakers of 
glory and honour ; and 8 are ex- 
alted and lifted up by God in 
their memorial throughout all 
ages, Amen. 

12 ^j Wherefore it will behove 
us also, brethren, 9 to follow such 
examples as these ; for it is writ- 
ten, Hold fast to such as are 
holy ; for they that do so shall 
be sanctified. 

13 And again in another place 
he saith, 10 With the pure thou 



1 Suffering- these things they under- 
went them gloriously. 

2 Dan. vi. 16. 3 Shut into. 

4 Dan. hi. 20. 

5 Worshipping the worship. 

• Full of virtue. 7 Have inherited. 
8 Have been exalted. 



shalt be pure ( n and with the 
elect thou shalt be elect), but 
with the perverse man thou shalt 
be 12 perverse. 

14 Let us therefore join our- 
selves to the innocent and right- 
eous : for such are the elect of 
God. 

15 Wherefore are there strifes, 
and anger, and divisions, and 
schisms, and wars, among us? 

16 13 Have we not all one God, 
and one Christ ? H Is not one 
spirit of grace poured out upon 
us all ? Have we not one call- 
ing in Christ? 

17 Why then do we rend and 
tear in pieces the members of 
Christ, and raise seditions against 
our own body ? and are come 
to such a height of madness, as 
to forget that 15 we were members 
one of another ? 

18 Remember the words of 
our Lord Jesus, 16 how he said, 
Wo to that man (by whom of- 
fences come) ; 17 it were better for 
him that he had never been born, 
than that he should have offend- 
ed one of my elect. It were 
better for him that a mill-stone 
should be tied about his neck, 
and he should be cast into the 
sea, than that he should offend 
one of my little ones. 

19 Your schism has perverted 
many, has discouraged many : 
it has caused diffidence in many, 
and grief in us all. And yet 
your sedition continues still. 

9 To cleave to. 10 Psalm xviii. 26. 

11 Omitted by Junius, and now restored 
from the MS. 

12 Turn aside. 13 Eph. iv. 4. 
14 1 Cor. xii. 15 Rom. xii. 5. 
16 For he said. 17 Luke xvii. 2. 

12? 



Further exhortations I. CORINTHIANS, to peace and union. 



20 ff Take the Epistle of the 
blessed Paul the Apostle into 
your hands ; 1 What was it that 
lie wrote to you at his first 
preaching the gospel . among 
you? 

21 Verily he did 2 by the spirit 
admonish you concerning him- 
self, and Cephas, and Apollos; 
because that even then ye had 
begun to fall into 3 parties and 
factions among yourselves. 

22 Nevertheless your partial- 
ity then led you into a much less 
sin : forasmuch as ye 4 placed 
your affections upon apostles, 
men of 5 eminent reputation in 
the church ; and upon another, 
who was greatly tried and ap- 
proved of by them. 

23 But consider, we pray you, 
who are they that have now led 
you astray ; and lessened the 
6 reputation of that brotherly love 
that was 7 so eminent among 
you. 

24 It is a shame, my beloved, 
yea, a very great shame, and un- 
worthy of your Christian 8 pro- 
fession, to hear that the most 
firm and 9 ancient church of the 
Corinthians should, by one or 
two persons, be led into a sedi- 
tion against its priests. 

25 And this report is come 
not only to us, but to those also 
that differ from us. 

26 Insomuch that the name of 
the Lord is blasphemed through 



1 See Mr. Dodwell's add. ad. Pearson. 
Chronol. p. 223. Dr. Grabe's Spicileg. 
torn. i. p. 256. 

2 Spiritually send to you. 1 Cor. i. 12. 

3 Inclinations (for one above another). 

4 Inclined. 5 Witnessed of. 

6 Gravity. 

7 So much spoken of. 

128 



your folly ; and even ye your- 
selves are brought into danger 
by it. 

27 ft Let us therefore with all 
haste 10 put an end to this sedi- 
tion ; and let us fall down before 
the Lord, and beseech him with 
tears that he would n be favour- 
ably reconciled to us, and restore 
us again to a 12 seemly and holy 
course of brotherly love. 

28 For this is the gate of 
righteousness, opening unto life ; 
as it is written, 13 Open unto me 
the gates of righteousness; I 
will go in unto them, and will 
praise the Lord. This is the 
gate of the Lord, the righteous 
shall enter into it. 

29 Although therefore many 
gates are opened, yet this gate 
of righteousness is that gate in 
Christ, at which blessed are all 
they that enter in, and direct 
their way in holiness and right- 
eousness, doing all things with- 
out disorder. 

30 Let a man be faithful ; let 
him be powerful in the utterance 
of knowledge ; let him be wise 
in making an exact judgment of 
words ; let him be pure in all 
his actions. 

31 But still by how much the 
more he seems to be 14 above oth- 
ers, by reason of these things, 
by so much the more will it be- 
hove him to be humble-minded ; 
and to seek what is profitable to 



8 Institution. 

9 See Mr. Dodwell, 1. c. p. 222. 

10 Take away. 

11 Becoming favourable be. 

12 Grave, venerable. 

13 Psalm cxviii. 19, 20. 

14 Greater. 



The value 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



all men, and not his own advan- 
tage. 

CHAP. XXI. 

1 The value which God puts upon love and 
unity ; the effects of a true charity, 8 which 
is the gift of God, and must be obtained by 
prayer. 

HE that has the love that is 
in Christ, let him keep the 
commandments of Christ. 

2 For who is able to express 
the ] obligation of the love of 
God? What man is sufficient 
to declare, as is fitting, the ex- 
cellency of its beauty 1 

3 The height to which char- 
ity leads is inexpressible. 

4 Charity 2 unites us to God ; 
3 charity covers the multitude of 
sins : 4 charity endures all things, 
is long-suffering in all things. 

5 There is nothing base and 
sordid in charity : charity lifts 
not itself up above others ; ad- 
mits of no divisions ; is not se- 
ditious ; but does all things in 
peace and concord. 

6 By charity were all the elect 
of God made perfect: without it 
nothing is pleasing and accepta- 
ble in the sight of God. 

7 Through charity did the 
Lord 5 join us unto himself; 
whilst for the love that he bore 
towards us, our Lord Jesus Christ 
gave his own blood for us, by 
the will of God ; his flesh, for 
our flesh ; his soul, for our souls. 

8 fl" Ye see, beloved, how- 
great and wonderful a thing 
charity is ; and how that no ex- 
pressions are sufficient to declare 
its perfection. 



i Bond. 

3 Peter iv. 3. 

4 1 Cor. xiii. 7, &c 

5 Take us up. 



2 Glues. 



and effects 

9 But who is fit to be found 
in it ? Even such only as God 
shall vouchsafe to make so. 

10 Let us therefore pray to 
him, and beseech him, that we 
may be worthy of it ; that so we 
may live in charity ; being un- 
blamable,without human propen- 
sities, without respect of persons* 

11 All the ages of the world, 
from Adam, even unto this day, 
are passed away ; but they who 
have been made perfect in love, 
have by the grace of God ob- 
tained a place among the right- 
eous ; and shall be made mani- 
fest in the 6 judgment of the 
kingdom of Christ. 

12 For it is written, 7 Enter 
into thy chambers for a little 
space, till my anger and indig- 
nation shall pass away : and I 
will remember the good day, and 
will raise you up out of your 
graves. 

13 Happy 8 then shall we be, 
beloved, if we shall have fulfilled 
the commandments of God, in 
the unity of love ; that so through 
love, our sins may be forgiven us. 

14 For so it is written, 9 Bless- 
ed are they whose iniquities are 
forgiven, and whose sins are cov- 
ered. Blessed is the man to 
whom the Lord imputeth no sin, 
and in whose mouth there is no 
guile. 

15 Now this blessing is ful- 
filled in those who are chosen 
by God, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord, to whom be glory for 
ever and ever, Amen. 



G Animadversion, or visitation. 
7 Isaiah xxvi. 20. 8 Are we. 
9 Psalm xxxii. 

129 



of unity 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



and charity \ 



CHAP. XXII. 

1 He exhorts such as have been concerned in 
these divisions, to repent, and return to their 
unity, confessing their sinto God, 7 which he 
enforces from the example of Moses, 10 and 
of many among the heathen, 23 and of Judith 
and Esther among the Jews. 

LET us therefore, as many 
as have transgressed by any 
of the 1 suggestions of the adver- 
sary, beg God's forgiveness. 

2 And as for those who have 
been the 2 heads of the sedition 
and faction among you, 3 let them 
look to the common end of our 
hope. 

3 For as many as are 4 endued 
with fear and charity, would 
rather they themselves should 
fall into trials than their neigh- 
bours ; and choose to be them- 
selves condemned, rather than 
that the good and just charity 
delivered to us, should suffer. 

4 For it is seemly for a man 
to confess wherein he has trans- 
gressed. 

5 5 And not to harden his 
heart, as the hearts of those were 
hardened, who raised up sedi- 
tion against Moses, the servant 
of God; whose punishment was 
manifest 6 unto all men ; for they 
went down alive into the grave, 
death swallowed them up. 

6 7 Pharaoh and his host, and 
all the rulers of Egypt, their 
chariots also and their horsemen, 
were for no other cause drown- 
ed in the bottom of the Red Sea, 
and perished, but because they 
hardened their foolish hearts, 
after so many signs done in the 



1 See Junius in loc. 

2 Chief leaders. 3 They ought. 
4 Walk according to ; live in. 

* Rather than. 6 Numb. xvi. 

130 



land of Egypt, by Moses the ser- 
vant of God. 

7 1] Beloved, God is not indi- 
gent of any thing ; nor does he 
demand any thing of us, but that 
we should confess our sins unto 
him. 

8 For so says the 8 holy Da- 
vid, 9 1 will confess unto the Lord, 
and it shall please him better 
than a young bullock that hath 
horns and hoofs. Let the poor 
see it and be glad. 

9 And again he saith, 10 Offer 
unto God the sacrifice of praise, 
and pay thy vows unto the Most 
Highest. And call upon me in 
the day of trouble, and I will 
deliver thee, and thou shalt glo- 
rify me. u The sacrifice of God 
is a broken spirit. 

10 ^j Ye know, beloved, ye 
know full well, the Holy Scrip- 
tures ; and have thoroughly 
searched into the oracles of 
God : call them therefore to your 
remembrance. 

11 For when Moses went up 
into the mount, and tarried 
there forty days and forty nights 
in fasting and humiliation, God 
said unto him, 12 Arise, Moses, 
get thee down quickly from 
hence, for thy people, whom thou 
broughtest out of the land of 
Egypt, have committed wicked- 
ness ; they have soon trans- 
gressed the way that I com- 
manded them, and have made to 
themselves graven images. 

12 And the Lord said unto 
him, I have spoken unto thee 



7 Exod. iv. 
9 Psalm lxix. 31. 
» Psalm li. 17. 
12 Exod. xxxii. Deut. ix 



8 Chosen. 
io Psalm 1. 14. 



Exhorts 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



to unity. 



1 several times, saying, I have 
seen this people, and behold it 
is a stiff-necked people : let me 
therefore destroy them, and put 
out their name from under heav- 
en. And I will make unto thee 
a great and a wonderful nation, 
that shall be much 2 larger than 
this. 

13 But Moses said, Not so, 
Lord : forgive, now, this people 
their sin ; or if thou wilt not, 
blot me also out of the book of 
the living. O admirable char- 
ity ! O insuperable perfection ! 
The servant speaks freely to his 
Lord : he beseeches him either 
to forgive the people, or to 3 de- 
stroy him together with them. 

14 ^j Who is there among 
you that is generous 1 Who that 
is compassionate 1 Who that has 
any charity ? Let him say, if 
this sedition, this contention, 
and these schisms, be upon my 
account, I am ready to depart ; 
to go away whithersoever ye 
please ; and do whatsoever 4 ye 
shall command me : only let 
the flock of Christ be in peace, 
with the elders that are set 
over it. 

15 He that shall do this, shall 
get to himself a very great 
honour in the Lord ; and 5 there 
is no place but what will be 
ready to receive him : 6 for the 
earth is the Lord's, and the ful- 
ness thereof. 

16 These things they who 
have their conversation towards 
God not to be repented of, both 

1 Once and twice. 2 More, greater, 
a Blot out. 4 The multitude. 

5 Every place. 6 Psalm xxiv. 

7 But that we may bring the examples 
of heathens. 



have done, and will always be 
ready to do. 

17 fl 7 Nay, and even the 
Gentiles themselves have given 
us examples of this kind. 

18 For we read, How many 
kings and princes, in times of 
pestilence, being warned by their 
oracles, have given up themselves 
unto death; that by their own 
blood, they might deliver their 
8 country from destruction. 

19 9 Others have forsaken 
their cities, that so they might 
put an end to the seditions of 
them. 

20 We know how many among 
ourselves have given up them- 
selves unto bonds, that thereby 
they might free others from them. 

21 Others have sold them- 
selves into bondage, that they 
might feed 10 their brethren with 
the price of themselves. 

22 And even many women, 
being strengthened by the grace 
of God, have done many glorious 
and manly things on such occa- 
sions. 

23 The blessed n Judith, when 
her city was besieged, desired 
the elders, that they would suffer 
her to go into the camp of 12 their 
enemies : and she went out, ex- 
posing herself to danger, for the 
love she bare to her country and 
her people that were besieged ; 
and the Lord delivered Holofer- 
nes into the hands of a woman. 

24 Nor did 13 Esther, being 
perfect in faith, expose herself 
to any less hazard, for the de- 

8 Citizens. 9 Many. 

i° Others. 

11 Judith viii. ix. x. xiii. 

12 The strangers. 

13 Esther vii. viii. 

131 



The benefit of 



1. CORINTHIANS. 



mutual advice. 



livery of the twelve tribes of Is- 
rael, in danger of being de- 
stroyed. For by fasting and 
humbling herself, she entreated 
the Great Maker of all things, 
the God of x spirits ; so that, be- 
holding the humility of her soul, 
he delivered the people, for 
whose sake she was in peril. 

CHAP. XXIII. 

The benefit of mutual advice and correction. 
He entreats them to follow that which is 
here given to them. 

WHEREFORE let us also 
pray for such as are fallen 
into 2 sin. That being endued 
with humility and moderation, 
they may submit not unto us, 
but to the will of God. 

2 For by this means 3 they 
shall obtain a fruitful and per- 
fect remembrance, with mercy, 
both in our prayers to God, and 
in our mention of them before 
his 4 saints. 

3 Let us receive correction, 
at which no man ought to re- 
pine. 

4 Beloved, the reproof and 
the correction which we exercise 
towards one another, is good, 
and exceeding profitable ; for it 
unites us the more closely to the 
will of God. 

5 For so says the Holy Scrip- 
ture, 5 The Lord corrected me, 
but he did not deliver me over 
unto death. 6 For whom the 
Lord loveth he chasteneth, and 
scourgeth every son whom he 
receiveth. 

6 7 The righteous, saith he, 
shall instruct me in mercy and 

1 Ages ; who. 

2 Viz. that of schism. 

8 There shall be to them. 

132 



reprove me; but let not oil of 
sinners make fat my head. 

7 And again he saith, 8 Hap 
py is the man whom God cor- 
rected ; therefore despise not 
thou the chastening of the Al- 
mighty. 

8 For he maketh sore and 
bindeth up; he woundeth and 
his hands make whole. 

9 He shall deliver thee in six 
troubles ; yea, in seven there 
shall no evil touch thee. In 
famine he shall redeem thee 
from death, and in war, from 
the power of the sword. 

10 Thou shalt be hid from the 
scourge of the tongue ; neither 
shalt thou be afraid of destruc- 
tion when it cometh. 

11 Thou shalt laugh at the 
wicked and sinners ; neither 
shalt thou be afraid of the beasts 
of the earth. The wild beasts 
shall be at peace with thee. 

12 Then shalt thou know that 
thy house shall be in peace ; and 
the habitation of thy tabernacle 
shall not err. Thou shalt know 
also that thy seed shall be great, 
and thy offspring as the grass of 
the earth. 

13 Thou shalt come to thy 
grave as the ripe corn, that is 
taken in due time ; like as a 
shock of corn cometh in, in its 
season. 

14 Ye see, beloved, how there 
shall be a defence to those that 
are corrected of the Lord. For 
being a good instructer, he is 
willing to admonish us by his 
holy discipline. 

4 i. e. Our fellow-Christians. 

6 Psalm xcviii. 6 Prov. iii. 12. 

7 Psalm cxli. 5. 8 Job v. 17, &c. 



Commendation 



I. CORINTHIANS. 



to God 



15 Do ye therefore who laid 
the first foundation of this sedi- 
tion, submit yourselves unto your 
1 priests; and be instructed unto 
repentance, bending the knees 
of your hearts. 

16 Learn to be subject, laying 
aside all proud and arrogant 
boasting of your tongues. 

17 For it is better for you to 
be found little, and approved, in 
the 2 sheepfold of Christ, than to 
seem to yourselves better than 
others, and be cast out of his 

3 fold. 

18 For thus speaks the excel- 
lent and all-virtuous wisdom, 

4 Behold I will pour out the word 
of my spirit upon you, I will 
make known my speech unto 
you. 

19 Because I called and ye 
would not hear, I stretched out 
my words and ye regarded not. 

20 But ye have set at naught 
all my counsel, and would none 
of my reproof. I will also laugh 
at your calamity, and mock when 
your fear cometh ; 

21 When your fear cometh 
as desolation, and your destruc- 
tion as a whirlwind, when dis- 
tress and anguish cometh upon 
you. 

22 Then shall ye call upon 
me, but I will not hear you : the 
wicked shall seek me, but they 
shall not find me. For that they 
hated knowledge, and did not 
seek the fear of the Lord. 

23 They would not hearken 
unto my counsel : they despised 
all my reproof. Therefore shall 
they eat of the fruit of their own 



i Elders. 2 See Junius in loc. 


4 Prov. i. 23, &c. 


5 Master. 


3 See Coteler. in loc. 


6 To his name. 


7 Him. 


12 


133 





ways; and be filled with their 
own wickedness. 



CHAP. XXIV. 

1 Recommends them to God. 3 Desires 
speedily to hear that this Epistle has had 
a good effect upon them. 4 Conclusion. 

NOW God the inspector of 
all things, the 5 Father of 
spirits, and the Lord of all flesh, 
who has chosen our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and us by him, to be his 
peculiar people ; 

2 Grant to every soul of man 
that calleth upon his glorious 
and holy name, faith, fear, peace, 
long-suffering, patience, temper- 
ance, holiness and sobriety, unto 
all well pleasing 6 in his sight ; 
through our High-Priest and 
Protector Jesus Christ, by whom 
be glory and majesty, and pow- 
er, and honour, unto him now 
and for evermore, Amen. 

3 *\\ The messengers whom 
we have sent unto you, Claudius, 
Ephebus and Valerius Bito, 
with Fortunatus, send back to 
us again with all speed in peace 
and with joy, that they may the 
sooner acquaint us with your 
peace and concord, so much 
prayed for and desired by us ; 
and that we may rejoice in your 
good order. 

4 The grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ be with you, and with all 
that are any where called by God 
through him : To whom be hon- 
our and glory, and might and 
majesty, and eternal dominion, 
by 7 Christ Jesus, from everlast- 
ing to everlasting, Amen. 



The SECOND EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the 
CORINTHIANS. 

[Archbishop Wake is the translator of this Second Epistle, which he says was not of so 
great reputation among the primitive Fathers as the first. He defends it notwithstanding ; 
and in answer to those who objected to Clement's First Epistle, that it did not duly honour 
the Trinity, the Archbishop refers to this as containing proof of the writer's fulness of 
belief on that point.] 



CHAP. I. 

That we ought to value our salvation,; and to 
show that we do, by a sincere obedience. 

BRETHREN, we ought so 
to think of Jesus Christ as 
of God ; as of the judge of the liv- 
ing and the dead : nor should we 
think 1 any less of our salvation. 

2 For if we think 1 meanly of 
him, we shall hope only to re- 
ceive 1 some small things from 
him. 

3 And if we 2 do so, we shall 
sin ; not 3 considering from 
whence we have been called, 
and by whom, and to what 
place ; and how much Jesus 
Christ vouchsafed to suffer for 
our sakes. 

4 What recompense then 
shall we render unto him? Or 
what fruit that may be worthy 
of what he has given to us ? 

5 For indeed 4 how great are 
those advantages which we owe 
to him in relation to our holi- 
ness 1 He has illumined us ; as 
a father, he has called us his 
children; he has saved us who 
were lost and undone. 

6 What praise shall we give to 
him ? Or what reward that may 
be answerable to those things 
which we have received. 

1 Little things, or meanly. 

2 Hear as of little things. 

3 Knowing. 

134 



7 We were defective in our 
understandings ; worshipping 
stones, and wood ; gold, and sil- 
ver, and brass, the works of 
men's hands ; and our whole life 
was nothing else but death. 

8 Wherefore being encom- 
passed with darkness, and hav- 
ing such a mist before our eyes, 
we have looked up, and through 
his will have laid aside the cloud 
wherewith we were surrounded. 

9 For he had compassion 
upon us, and being moved in his 
bowels towards us, he saved us ; 
having beheld in us much error, 
and destruction ; and seen that 
we had no hope of salvation, but 
only through him. 

10 For he called us, who were 
not ; and was pleased from noth- 
ing to give us a being. 

CHAP. II. 

1 That God had before prophesied by Isaiah, 
that the Gentiles should be saved. 8 That 
this ought to engage such especially to live 
well j without which they will still mis- 
carry. 

REJOICE, thou barren that 
bearest not, break forth 
and cry, thou that travailest not ; 
for she that is desolate hath many 
more children than she that has 
a husband. 5 

2 In that he said, Rejoice, thou 

4 How great holy things do we owe 
unto him. 

5 Isaiah liv. 1. 



The Gentiles 



II. CORINTHIANS. 



to be saved 



barren that bearest not, he spake 
of us ; for our church was barren 
before that children were given 
unto it. 

3 And again ; when he said, 
Cry, thou that travailest not, he 
implied thus much : That after 
the manner of woman in travail, 
we should not cease to put up 
our prayers unto God l abun- 
dantly. 

4 And for what follows, be- 
cause she that is desolate hath 
more children than she that hath 
a husband ; it was therefore 
added, because our people which 
seemed to have been forsaken 
by God, now believing in him, 
are become more than they who 
seemed to have God. 

5 And another Scripture saith, 
2 1 came not to call the righteous 
but sinners (to repentance). The 
meaning of which is this ; That 
those who were lost must be 
saved. 

6 For that is, indeed, truly 
great and wonderful, not to con- 
firm those things that are yet 
standing, but those which are 
falling. 

7 Even so did it seem good to 
Christ to save what was lost ; and 
when he came into the world, he 
saved many, and called us who 
were already lost. 

8 Seeing then he has showed 
so great mercy towards us, and 
chiefly for that we who are alive, 
do now no longer sacrifice to 
dead gods, nor pay any worship 
to them, but have by him been 

1 ArrXwj. See St. James i. 5. Com- 
pare Rom. xii. 8. 2 Cor. viii. 2., ix. 
11,13. 

2 Matt. ix. 13. 



brought to the knowledge of the 
Father of truth. 

9 3 Whereby shall we show 
that we do indeed know him, but 
by not denying him by whom we 
have come to the knowledge of 
him? 

10 For even he himself saith, 
4 Whosoever shall confess me 
before men, him will I confess 
before my Father. This there- 
fore is our reward, if we shall 
confess him by whom we have 
been saved. 

11 But, wherein must we con- 
fess him? — Namely, in doing 
those things which he saith, and 
not disobeying his command- 
ments ; by worshipping him not 
with our lips only, but with all 
our heart, and with all our mind. 
For he saith in Isaiah ; 5 This 
people honoureth me with their 
lips, but their heart is far from 
me. 

12 Let us then not only call 
him Lord ; for that will not save 
us. For he saith ; 6 Not every 
one that saith unto me, Lord, 
Lord, shall be saved, but he that 
doth righteousness. 

13 Wherefore, brethren, let 
us confess him by our works ; 
by loving one another ; in not 
committing adultery, not speak- 
ing evil against each other, not 
envying one another ; but by be- 
ing temperate, merciful, good. 

14 Let us also have a mutual 
sense of one another's sufferings; 
and not be covetous of money : 
but let us, by our good works, 

3 What is the knowledge which is to- 
wards him. 

4 Matt. x. 32. 

5 Isaiah xxix. 13. e Matt. vii. 21. 

135 



Exhorts 



II. CORINTHIANS. 



against 



confess God y and not by those 
that are otherwise. 

15 Also let us not fear men ; 
but rather God. x Wherefore, 
if we should do such wicked 
things, the Lord hath said ; 
Though ye should be joined un- 
to me, even in my very bosom, 
and not keep my command- 
ments, I would cast you off, and 
say unto you ; 2 Depart from me.; 
I know not whence you are, ye 
workers of iniquity. 

CHAP. III. 

1 That whilst we secure ,lhe other world, 
we need not fear what can befall us in this. 
5 That if we follow the interests of this 
present world, wo cannot escape the pun- 
ishment of the other. 10 Which ought to 
bring us to repentance and holiness, 14 and 
that presently ; because in this world is the 
only time for repentance. 

WHEREFORE, brethren, 
leaving willingly for con- 
science' sake our sojourning in 
this world, let us do the will of 
him who has called us, and not 
fear to depart out of this world. 

2 For the Lord saith, 3 Ye 
shall be as sheep in the midst of 
wolves. Peter answered and 
said, What if the wolves shall 
tear in pieces the sheep ? Jesus 
said unto Peter, Let not the sheep 
fear the wolves after death : 4 And 
ye also, fear not those that kill 
you, and after that have no more 
that they can do unto you ; but 
fear him who after you are dead, 
has power to cast both soul and 
body into hell-fire. 

3 For consider, brethren, that 
the sojourning of this flesh in 
the present world, is but little, 

1 Wherefore we doing these thing's. 

2 Matt. vii. 23. Luke xiii. 27. 

3 Matt. x. 16. 4 Luke xii. 4. 5. 

136 



and of a short continuance ; but 
the promise of Christ is great 
and wonderful, even the rest of 
the kingdom that is to come, and 
of eternal life. 

4 What then must we do 
that we may attain unto it?— 
We must 5 order our conversa- 
tion holily and righteously, and 
look upon all the things of this 
world as none of ours, and not 
desire them. For, if we desire 
to possess them, we fall from the 
way of righteousness. 

5 For thus saith the Lord, 
6 No servant can serve two mas- 
ters. If, therefore, we shall 
desire to serve God and Mam- 
mon, it will be without profit to 
us. 7 For what will it profit, if 
one gain the whole world, and 
lose his own soul ? 

6 Now this world and that 
to come, are two enemies. This 
speaketh of adultery and cor- 
ruption, of covetousness and 
deceit; but that renounceth 
these things. 

7 We cannot, therefore, be 
the friends of both; but we 
must resolve, by forsaking the 
one, to enjoy the other. And 
we think it is better to hate the 
present things, as little, short- 
lived, and corruptible, and to 
love those which are to come, 
which are truly good and incor- 
ruptible. 

8 For, if we do the will of 
Christ, we shall find rest : but 
if not, nothing shall deliver 
us from eternal punishment if 
we shall disobey his commands. 

5 MS. Alexander, o<tiw? kcli SiKatus avaa' 

rpstptcrdai. 

6 Luke xvi, 13. 7 Matt. xvi. 26. 



the things 



II. CORINTHIANS. 



of this world 



For even thus saith the Scrip- 
ture in the prophet Ezekiel, 
1 If Noah, Job, and Daniel 
should rise up, they shall not 
deliver their children in cap- 
tivity. 

9 Wherefore, if such right- 
eous men are not able by their 
righteousness to deliver their 
children ; how can we hope to 
enter into the kingdom of God, 
except we keep our baptism 
holy and undented? Or who 
shall be our advocate, unless we 
shall be found to have done 
what is holy and just? 

10 Let us, therefore, my 
brethren, contend with all ear- 
nestness, knowing that our com- 
bat is at hand ; and that many 
go long voyages to encounter 
for a corruptible reward. 

11 And yet all are not crown- 
ed, but they only that labour 
much, and strive gloriously. 
Let us, therefore, so contend, 
that we may all be crowned. 
Let us run in the straight road, 
the race that is incorruptible : 
and let us in great numbers pass 
unto it, and strive that we may 
receive the crown. But and if 
we cannot all be crowned, let us 
come as near to it as we are able. 

12 Moreover, we must con- 
sider, that he who contends in a 
corruptible combat, if he be 
found doing any thing that is 
not fair, is taken away, and 
scourged, and cast out of the 
lists. What think ye then that 
he shall suffer, who does any 
thing that is not fitting in the 
combat of immortality ? 

1 Ezek. xiv. 14, 20. 

2 baiah lxvi. 24. 

12* 



13 Thus speaks the prophet 
concerning those who keep not 
their seal ; 2 Their worm shal i 
not die, and their fire shall 
not be quenched ; and they 
shall be for a spectacle unto all 
flesh. 

14 Let us therefore repent, 
whilst we are yet upon the 
earth : for we are as clay in the 
hand of the artificer. For as 
the potter, if he make a vessel, 
and it be turned amiss in his 
hands, or broken, again forms it 
anew ; but if he have gone so 
far as to throw it into the fur- 
nace of fire, he can no more 
bring any remedy to it ; 

15 So we, whilst we are in 
this world, 3 should repent with 
our whole heart for whatsoever 
evil we have done in the flesh ; 
while we have yet the time of 
repentance, that we may be 
saved by the Lord. 

16 For after we shall have 
departed out of this world, we 
shall no longer be able either to 
confess our sins, or repent 4 in 
the other. 

17 Wherefore, brethren, let 
us, doing the will of the Father, 
and keeping our flesh pure, and 
observing the commandments of 
the Lord, lay hold on eternal 
life : for the Lord saith in the 
Gospel, 5 If ye have not kept 
that which was little, who will 
give you that which is great ? — 
For I say unto you, He that is 
faithful in that which is least, is 
faithful also in much. 

18 This, therefore, is wha 
he saith ; Keep your bodies pure , 



3 Let us repent. 
& Luke xvi. 10, 12. 

137 



4 There. 



Of the 



II. CORINTHIANS. 



resurrection. 



and your seal without spot, that 
ye may receive eternal life. 

CHAP. IV. 

1 We shall rise, and be judged, in our bodies ; 
therefore we must live well in them, 6 that 
we ought, for our own interest, to live well ; 
though few seem to mind what really is for 
their advantage, 10 and not deceive our- 
selves; seeing God will certainly judge us, 
and render to all of us according to our 
works. 

AND let not any one among 
you say, that this very 
flesh is not judged, neither 
raised up. Consider, in what 
were ye saved ? in what did ye 
look up, if not whilst ye were 
in this flesh 1 

2 We must, therefore, keep 
our flesh as the temple of God. 
For in like manner as ye were 
called in the flesh, ye shall also 
come to judgment in the flesh. 
1 Our one Lord Jesus Christ, 
who has saved us, being first a 
spirit, was made flesh, and so 
called us : even so we also shall 
in this flesh receive the re- 
ward. 

3 Let us therefore love one 
another, that we may attain unto 
the kingdom of God. Whilst 
we have time to be healed, let 
us deliver up ourselves to God 
our physician, giving our reward 
unto him. 

4 And what reward shall we 
give? — Repentance out of a 
pure heart. For he knows all 
things beforehand, and searches 
out our very hearts. 

5 Let us therefore give praise 
unto him; not only with our 
mouths, but with all our souls ; 



1 MS. Alex, plane six exhibet : ui Xcucr- 
tos. 

2 Vox Qeov non est in MS. 

3 Matt. xii. 60. 

138 



that he may receive us as chil- 
dren. 2 For so the Lord hath 
said; 3 They are my brethren, 
who do the will of my Father. 

6 fl Wherefore, my brethren, 
let us do the will of the Father, 
who hath called us, that we may 
live. Let us pursue virtue, and 
forsake wickedness, which lead- 
eth us into sins; and let us flee 
all ungodliness, that evils over- 
take us not. 

7 For, if we shall do our dili- 
gence to live well, peace shall 
follow us. 4 And yet how hard 
is it to find a man that does this ! 
For almost all are led by human 
fears, choosing rather the pres- 
ent enjoyments, than the future 
promise. 

8 For they know not how 
great a torment the present en- 
joyments bring with them ; nor 
what delights the future prom- 
ise. 

9 And if they themselves 
only did this, it might the more 
easily be endured ; but now they 
go on to infect innocent souls 
with their evil doctrines; not 
knowing that both themselves, 
and those that hear them, shall 
receive a double condemnation. 

10 ff Let us therefore serve 
God with a pure heart, and we 
shall be righteous : but, if we 
shall not serve him, because we 
do not believe the promise of 
God, we shall be miserable. 

11 For thus saith the prophet ; 
5 Miserable are the double-mind- 
ed, who doubt in their heart, and 



4 For for this cause, we cannot find a 
man. Aliter Wendel, in traduct. lat. 
q. v. 

5 See I. Clement, chap. x. 



The Lord's 



II. CORINTHIANS. 



kingdom 



say, These things have' we heard, 
even in the time of our fathers, 
but we have seen none of them, 
though we have expected them 
from day to day. 

12 O ye fools ! compare your- 
selves to a tree ; take the vine 
for an example. First it sheds 
its leaves, then it buds, then 
come the sour grapes, then the 
ripe fruit : even so my people 
has borne its disorders and af- 
flictions, but shall hereafter re- 
ceive good things. 

13 Wherefore, my brethren, let 
us not doubt in our minds, but 
let us expect with hope, that we 
may receive our reward : for he 
is faithful, who has promised 
that he will render to every 
one a reward according to his 
works. 

14 If, therefore, we shall do 
what is just in the sight of God, 
we shall enter into his kingdom, 
and shall receive the promises ; 
1 Which neither eye hath seen, 
nor ear heard, nor have entered 
into the heart of man. 

15 fl Wherefore let us every 
hour expect the kingdom of God 
in love and righteousness; be- 
cause we know not the day of 
God's appearing. 

CHAP. V. 
A Fragment. 

Of the Lord's kingdom. 

l*** 2 For the Lord him- 
self, being asked by a certain 

* Cor. ii. 9. 

2 Clem. Rom. ex. MS. Regio. 



person, When his kingdom 
should come? answered, When 
two shall be one, and that which 
is without as that which is 
within ; and the male with the 
female, neither male nor fe- 
male. 

2 Now, two are one, when we 
speak the truth to each other, 
and there is (without hypocrisy) 
one soul in two bodies : 

3 And that which is without 
as that which is within ;— -He 
means this; he calls the soul 
that which is within, and the 
body that which is without. As 
therefore thy body appears, so 
let thy soul be seen by its good 
works. 

4 And the male with the fe- 
male, neither male nor female ; 2 — 
He means this; he calls our 
anger the male, our concu- 
piscence the female. 

5 When therefore a man is 
come to such a pass, that he is 
subject neither to the one nor 
the other of these (both of 
which, through the prevalence 
of custom, and an evil educa- 
tion, cloud and darken the rea- 
son), 

6 But rather, having dispelled 
the mist arising from them, and 
being full of shame, shall by 
repentance have united both his 
soul and spirit in the obedience 
of reason ; then, as Paul says, 
there is in us neither male nor 
female. 

3 Ex. Clem. Alexandrin. 

139 



The GENERAL EPISTLE of BARNABAS. 

[Barnabas was a companion and fellow-preacher with Paul. This Epistle lays a greater 
claim to canonical authority than most others. It has been cited by Clemens Alexandri- 
nus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and many ancient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that 
Origen and Jerome esteemed it genuine and canonical ; but Cotelerius himself did not be- 
lieve it to be either one or the other ; on the contrary, he supposes it was written for tho 
benefit of the Ebionites (the Christianized Jews), who were tenacious of rites and cere- 
monies. Bishop Fell feared to own expressly what he seemed to be persuaded of, that it 
ought to be treated with the same respect as several of the books of the present canon. 
Dr. Bernard, Savilian professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine, but that it was 
read throughout, in the churches at Alexandria, as the canonical Scriptures were. Dod- 
well supposed it to have been published before the Epistle of Jude,_and the writings of both 
the Johns. Vossius, Dupuis, Dr. Cave, Dr. Mill, Dr. S. Clark, Whiston, and Archbishop 
Wake, also esteemed it genuine : Menardus, Archbishop Laud, Spanheim, and others, 
deemed it apocryphal.] 

success in the way of 7 the law 
of the Lord, which is in Christ. 

5 For which cause, 8 breth- 
ren, I also think verily that I 
love you above my own soul : 
because that therein dwelleth 
the greatness of faith and char- 
ity, as also the hope of that life 
which is to come. 

6 Wherefore considering this, 
that if I shall take care to com- 
municate to you a part of what 

I have received, it shall turn to 
my reward, 9 that I have served 
such good souls; I gave dili- 
gence to write in a few words 
unto you ; that together with 
your faith, your 10 knowledge 
also may be perfect. 

7 There are therefore three 

II things ordained by the Lord ; 
the hope of life ; 12 the beginning, 
and the completion of it. 

8 For the Lord hath both de- 
clared unto us, by the prophets, 
those things that 13 are past ; and 

7 Comp. Psalm cxix. 33. viz. either by 
preaching or fulfilling' the same. 



CHAP. I. 

Preface to the Epistle. 

ALL happiness to you, my 
sons and daughters, in the 
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who loved us, in peace. 

2 Having perceived abun- 
dance of knowledge of the 
great and 1 excellent 2 laws of 
God to be in you, I exceedingly 
rejoice in your blessed and ad- 
mirable 3 souls, because ye' have 
so worthily received the grace 
which was 4 grafted in you. 

3 For which cause I am full 
of joy, hoping the rather to be 
5 saved ; inasmuch as I truly see 
a spirit infused into you, from 
the 6 pure fountain of God : 

4 Having this persuasion, 
and being fully convinced there- 
of, because that since I have 
begun to speak unto you, I have 
had a more than ordinary good 

1 Honestarum. 

2 ^Equitatum. AiKaiunarwv, righteous 
judgments. 

3 Spiritibus, disposition. 

4 Natural : Gr. tutyvrov. See chap. xix. 
tyi(pvTov. Sopeav S^aviS '■ which the Lat. 
Int. renders, Naturale donum Doctrinae. 
Comp. Jam. i. 21. 

5 Liberari : Gr. ut videtur ewOrjvai. 

6 Honesto, from the Gr. icaXes. 

140 



8 Vid. Annot. Vos. in loc. 

9 Talibus spiritibus servienti. Usser. 

10 Tvuhtis. 

11 Aoy/xara Kvpiov, Constitutions of the 
Lord. 

12 Viz. faith and charity. See before. 

13 Namely, which we are to believe. 






Legal sacrifices 



BARNABAS. 



abolished 



1 opened to us the beginnings of 
those that are to come. 

9 Wherefore, it will behove 
us, 2 as he has spoken, to come 
3 more holily, and nearer to his 
altar. 

10 I, therefore, not as a 
teacher, but as one 4 of you, 
will endeavour to lay before you 
a few things by which you may, 
5 on many accounts, become the 
more joyful. 

CHAP. II. 

That God has abolished the legal sacrifices, to 
introduce the spiritual righteousness of the 
Gospel. 

SEEING then the days are 
exceeding evil, and the ad- 
versary has got the power of this 
present 6 world, we ought to 
give the more diligence to in- 
quire into the 7 righteous judg- 
ments of the Lord. 

2 8 Now the assistants of our 
faith are fear and patience ; our 
fellow-combatants, long-suffer- 
ing and continence. 

3 Whilst these remain pure 
in what relates unto the Lord, 
wisdom, and understanding, and 
science, and knowledge, rejoice 
together with them. 

4 For God has manifested to 
us by all the prophets, that he 
has no occasion for our sacri- 
fices, or burnt-offerings, or obla- 
tions ; saying thus : 9 To what 
purpose is the multitude of your 
sacrifices unto me, saith the 
Lord. 

5 I am full of the burnt-of- 

1 That is. which are to be hoped for, 
and end in love. 

2 Given us to know. 

3 Honestius et altius : the most honest- 
ly and highly. 

4 Like yourselves. 5 In many things. 



ferings of rams, and the fat of 
10 fed beasts ; and I delight not 
in the blood of bullocks, or of 
he-goats. 

6 n When ye come to appear 
before me, who hath required 
this at your hands ? Ye shall 
no more tread my courts. 

7 Bring no more vain obla- 
tions, incense is an abomination 
unto me : your new moons and 
sabbaths, the calling of assem- 
blies I cannot away with, it is 
iniquity, even the solemn meet- 
ing : your new moons and your 
appointed feasts, my soul 
hateth. 

8 These things therefore hath 
God abolished, that the new law 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which 
is without the yoke of any such 
necessity, might have the spirit- 
ual offering of men themselves. 

9 For so the Lord saith again 
to those heretofore : M Did I at 
all command your fathers when 
they came out of the land of 
Egypt concerning burnt-offer- 
ings or sacrifices 1 

10 But this I commanded 
them, saying, 13 Let none of you 
imagine evil in your' hearts 
against his neighbour, and love 
no false oath. 

1 1 Forasmuch then as we are 
not without understanding, we 
ought to apprehend the design 
14 of our merciful Father. For 
he speaks to us, being willing 
that we, who have been in the 
same error about the sacrifices, 

6 Age. 7 Equities. 

8 Comp. Grsec. Clem. Alex. 

9 Isaiah i. 11. 10 Lambs. 

11 Isaiah i. 12, 13, 14. 

12 Jer. vii. 22, 23. ™ Zach. viii. 17. 
14 Of the mercy of our Father. 

141 



Prophecies 



BARNABAS. 



of Daniel 



should seek and find how to ap- 
proach unto him. 

12 And therefore he thus be- 
speaks us, l The sacrifice of 
God (is a broken spirit), a bro- 
ken and contrite heart God will 
not despise. 

13 Wherefore, brethren, we 
ought the more diligently to in- 
quire after those things that be- 
long to our salvation, that the 
adversary may not have any en- 
trance into us, and deprive us 
of our spiritual life. 

14 Wherefore he again speak- 
eth to them, concerning these 
things : 2 Ye shall not fast as ye 
do this day, to make your voice 
to be heard on high. 

15 Is it such a fast that I 
have chosen ? A day for a man 
to afflict his soul 1 3 Is it to bow 
down his head like a bulrush, 
and to spread sackcloth and 
ashes under him 1 Wilt thou call 
this a fast, and an acceptable 
day to the Lord ? 

16 But to us he saith on this 
wise : 4 Is not this the fast that 
I have chosen, to loose the 
bands of wickedness, to undo 
the heavy burdens, and to let 
the oppressed go free ; and that 
ye break every yoke 1 

17 5 Is it not to deal thy 
bread to the hungry, and that 
thou bring the poor that are cast 
out to thy house ? When thou 
seest the naked that thou cover 
him, and that thou hide not thy- 
self from thine own flesh ? 

18 6 Then shall thy light 



1 Psalm li. 17. 2 Isaiah, lviii. 

3 Verse 5. 4 Verse 6. 

5 Verse 7. 6 Verse 8. 

7 Verse 9. 8 Verse 10. 

142 



break forth as the morning, and 
thy health shall spring forth 
speedily ; and thy righteousness 
shall go before thee, the glory 
of the Lord shall be thy rere- 
ward. 

19 7 Then shalt thou call, and 
the Lord shall answer ; thou 
shalt cry, and he shall say, Here 

I am. If thou put away from 
the midst of thee the yoke, the 
putting forth of the finger, and 
speaking vanity : 8 and if thou 
draw out thy soul to the hungry ; 
and satisfy the afflicted soul. 

20 In this, therefore, breth- 
ren, God has manifested his 
9 foreknowledge and mercy to 
us ; because the people which 
he has purchased to his beloved 
Son were to believe in 10 sinceri- 
ty ; and therefore he has shown 
these things to all of us, that we 
should not run as proselytes to 

II the Jewish Law. 

CHAP. III. 

The prophecies of Daniel concerning the ten 
kings, and the coming of Christ. 

WHEREFORE it is ne- 
cessary that searching 
diligently into those 12 things 
which are near to come to pass, 
we should write to you what 
may serve to keep you whole. 

2 To which end let us flee 
from every evil work, and hate 
the errors of the present time, 
that we may be 13 happy in that 
which is to come : 

3 Let us not give ourselves 
the liberty of disputing with the 



9 Providence. 10 Simplicity, 

ii Their. 

18 Histantibus : read Instantibus. 
1 3 Beloved. 



concerning 



BARNABAS. 



Christ, fyc 



wicked and sinners ; lest we 
should chance in time to become 
like unto them. 

4 For the consummation of 
x sin is come, as it is written, as 
the prophet Daniel says. And 
for this end the Lord hath 
shortened the times and the 
days, that his beloved might 
hasten his coming to his inher- 
itance. 

5 For so the prophet speaks : 
2 There shall ten kings reign in 
the earth, and there shall rise 
last of all another little one, and 
he shall humble three kings. 

6 And again Daniel speaks 
in like manner concerning the 
kingdoms ; 3 and I saw the 
fourth beast dreadful and terri- 
ble, and strong exceedingly ; 
and it had ten horns. 4 I con- 
sidered the horns, and behold 
there came up among them 
another little horn, before which 
were three of the first horns 
plucked up by the roots. 

7 We ought therefore to un- 
derstand this also : and I be- 
seech you, as one of your own 
brethren, loving you all beyond 
my own life, that you look well 
to yourselves, and be not like to 
those who 5 add sin to sin, and 
say, That their covenant is ours 
also. Nay, but it is ours only; 
for they have for ever lost that 
which Moses received. 

8 For thus saith the Scrip- 
ture : G And Moses continued 
fasting forty days and forty 
nights in the mount ; and he re- 



1 Temptation, Dan. ix. 

2 Dan. vii. 3 Verse 7. 

4 Verse 8. & Heap up sins. 

6 Exod. xxxi. xxxiv. 



ceived the covenant from the 
Lord, even the two tables of 
stone written by the hand of 
God. 

9 But having turned them- 
selves to idols they lost it ; as the 
Lord also said to Moses ; Moses, 
7 go down quickly, for thy peo- 
ple, which thou hast brought 
forth out of Egypt, have cor- 
rupted themselves, and turned 
aside from the way which I 
commanded them. 8 And Mo- 
ses cast the two tables out of 
his hands; and their covenant 
was broken ; that the love of Je- 
sus might be sealed in your 
hearts, unto the hope of his 
faith. 

10 Wherefore let us give 
heed unto the last times. For 
all the 9 time past of our life, and 
our faith, will profit us nothing ; 
unless we continue to hate what 
is evil, and to withstand the fu- 
ture temptations. So the Son 
of God tells us ; Let us resist 
all iniquity and hate it. 

11 Wherefore consider the 
works of the evil way. 10 Do 
not withdraw yourselves from 
others, as if you were already 
justified ; but coming altogether 
into one place, inquire what is 
agreeable to, and profitable for 
the beloved of God. For the 
Scripture saith ; n Wo unto 
them that are wise in their own 
eyes, and prudent in their own 
sight. 

12 Let us become spiritual, a 
perfect temple to God. As much 

7 Exod. xxxii. 7. Deut. ix. 12. 

8 Exod. xxxii. 19. 9 Days. 
i° Heb. x. 25. 

" Vid. Gr. Clem. Alex. Isaiah v. 21. 

143 



That Christ 



BARNABAS. 



was to suffer , 



as in us lies let us meditate up- 
on the fear of God ; and strive 
to the utmost of our power to 
keep his commandments ; that 
we may rejoice in his righteous 
judgments. 

13 For God will judge the 
world without respect of per- 
sons; and every one shall re- 
ceive according to his works. 

14 If a man shall be good, 
his righteousness shall go before 
him ; if wicked, the reward of 
his wickedness shall follow 
him. 

15 Take heed, therefore, lest 
sitting still now, that we are 
called, we fall asleep in our 
sins; and the wicked one, get- 
ting the dominion over us, stir 
us up, x and shut us out of the 
kingdom of the Lord. 

16 Consider this also : al- 
though you have- seen so great 
signs and wonders done among 
the people of the Jews, yet this 
notwithstanding the Lord hath 
forsaken them. 

17 Beware, therefore, lest it 
happen to us; as it is written, 
2 There be many called, but few 
chosen. 

CHAP. IV. 

That Christ was to suffer, proved from the 
prophecies concerning him. 

FOR this cause did our Lord 
vouchsafe to give up his 
body to destruction, that through 
the forgiveness of our sins we 
might be sanctified ; that is, by 
the sprinkling of his blood. 

2 Now for what concerns the 
things that are written about 

1 Matt. xxv. 7, 10. 2 Matt. xxii. 14. 

3 Isaiah liii. 5, 7. 

144 



him, some belong to the people 
of the Jews, and some to us. 

3 For thus saith the Scrip- 
ture ; 3 He was wounded for our 
transgressions, he was bruised 
for our iniquities, and by his 
blood we are healed. He was 
led as a lamb to the slaughter, 
and as a sheep before his shear- 
ers is dumb, so he opened not 
his mouth. 

4 Wherefore we ought the 
more to give thanks unto God, 
for that he hath both declared 
unto us what is passed, 4 and not 
suffered us to be without under- 
standing of those things that are 
to come. 

5 But to them he saith ; 5 The 
nets are not unjustly spread for 
the birds. 

6 This he spake, because a 
man will justly perish, if having 
the knowledge of the way of 
truth, he shall nevertheless not 
refrain himself from the way of 
darkness. 

7 And for this cause the Lord 
was content to suffer for our 
souls, although he be the Lord 
of the whole earth ; to whom 
God said before the beginning 
of the world, 6 Let us make man 
after our own image and like- 
ness. 

8 Now how he suffered for 
us, seeing it was by men that he 
underwent it, 7 1 will show you. 

9 The prophets, having re- 
ceived from him the gift of 
prophecy, spake before concern- 
ing him ; 

10 But he, that he might 
abolish death, and make known 

4 Vid. Edit.Oxon. p. 21. 6 Prov. i. 17. 
6 Gen. i. 26. 7 Learn. 



proved from BARNABAS. 

the resurrection from the dead, 
was content, as it was necessa- 
ry, to appear in the flesh, that 
he might make good the promise 
before given to our fathers, and 
preparing himself a new people, 
might demonstrate to them 
whilst he was upon earth, that 
after the resurrection he would 
judge the world. 

11 And finally teaching the 
people of Israel, and doing ma- 
ny wonders and signs among 
them, he preached to them, and 
showed the exceeding great love 
which he bare towards them. 

12 And when he chose his 
apostles, which were afterwards 
to publish his Gospel, he took 
men who had been very great 
sinners ; that thereby he might 
plainly show, x That he came 
not to call the righteous, but sin- 
ners to repentance. 

13 Then he clearly manifest- 
ed himself to be the Son of God. 
For had he not come in the 
flesh, how should men have 
been able to look upon him, 
that they might be saved ? 

14 Seeing if they behold on- 
ly the sun, which was the work 
of his hands, and shall hereafter 
cease to be, they are not able to 
endure steadfastly to look against 
the rays of it. 

15 Wherefore the Son of God 
came in the flesh for this cause, 
that he might fill up the measure 
of their iniquity, who have per- 



prophecy* 



» Matt. ix. 13. 

8 Namely, from the Jews. 

3 Zach. xiii. 6, 7. 

4 According to the LXX. Psalm xxii. 
20. Psalm cxix. 120. Psalm xxii. 16, 17. 

6 These words were doubtless cited 
thus by Barnabas, because that without 

13 



secuted his prophets unto death. 
And for the same reason also he 
suffered. 

16 For God hath said, of the 
2 stripes of his flesh, that they 
were from them. And 3 I will 
smite the shepherd, and the 
sheep of the flock shall be scat- 
tered. 

17 Thus he would suffer, be- 
cause it behoved him to suffer 
upon the cross. 

18 For thus one saith, proph- 
esying concerning him ; 4 Spare 
my soul from the sword. And 
again, Pierce my flesh from thy 
fear. 

19 And again, The congrega- 
tion of wicked doers rose up 
against me ( 5 They have pierced 
my hands and my feet). 

20 And again he saith, I 
gave my back to the sm iters, 
6 and my cheeks to be buffeted, 
and my face I set as a hard 
rock. 

CHAP. V. 

The subject continued. 

AND when he had fulfilled 
the commandment of God, 
what says he ? 7 Who will con- 
tend with me? Let him stand 
against me : or who is he that 
will implead me ? Let him draw 
near to the servant of the Lord. 
Wo be to you! 8 Because ye 
shall all wax old as a garment, 
the moth shall eat you up. 
2 And again the prophet 

them, those foregoing do not prove the 
crucifixion of Christ. But through the 
repetition of the same preposition, this 
latter part was so early omitted, that it 
was not in the Latin interpreter's copy. 

6 Isaiah I. 6. 7 i sa i a h ]. 8, 9. 

8 Septuag. Inter. 

145 



Prophecies 



BARNABAS. 



concerning 



adds, l He is put for a stone of 
stumbling. 2 Behold I lay in 
Zion for a foundation, a precious 
stone, a choice corner stone ; an 
honourable stone 1 And what 
follows ? And he that hopeth "in 
him shall live for ever. 

3 What then? Is our hope 
built upon a stone 1 God forbid. 
But because the Lord hath 
3 hardened his flesh against suf- 
ferings, he saith, 4 I have put me 
as a firm rock. 

4 And again the prophet 
adds, 5 The stone which the 
builders refused is become the 
head of the corner. And again 
he saith ; 6 This is the great and 
wonderful day which the Lord 
hath made. 7 I write these 
things the more plainly to you 
that ye may understand : 8 For 
indeed I could be content even 
to die for your sakes. 

5 But what saith the prophet 
again ; 9 The counsel of the 
wicked encompassed me about. 

10 They came about me, as bees 
about the honey-comb : and, 

11 Upon my vesture they cast 
lots. 

6 Forasmuch then as our 
Saviour was to appear in the 
flesh, and suffer, his passion 
was hereby foretold. 

7 For thus saith the prophet 
against Israel : 12 Wo be to their 

1 Isaiah, via, 14. 

2 Isaiah xxviii. 16. 

3 Gr. Put in strength, or strengthened. 

4 Isaiah, 1. 7. 5 Psalm exviii. 22. 

6 Verse 24, Clem. Alex. Strom, v. 

7 This is not in the Old Latin Ver- 
sion. 

« Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 29, a. nepupwa 
Tr\$ ayanrjs vfxuv. 
9 Psalm xxii. 16. 

146 



soul, because they have taken 
wicked counsel against them- 
selves, saying, Let us 13 lay snares 
for the righteous, because he is 
unprofitable to us. 

8 Moses also in like manner 
speaketh to them : 14 Behold, 
thus saith the Lord God ; Enter 
ye into the good land of which 
the Lord hath sworn to Abra- 
ham, and Isaac, and Jacob, that 
he would give it you, and pos- 
sess it ; a land flowing with milk 
and honey. 

9 Now what the spiritual 
meaning of this is, learn ; 15 It is 
as if it had been said : Put your 
trust in Jesus, who shall be man- 
ifested to you in the flesh. For 
man is the earth which suffers : 
forasmuch as out of the 16 sub- 
stance of the earth Adam was 
formed. 

10 What therefore does he 
mean when he says, Into a good 
land flowing with milk and hon- 
ey ? Blessed be our Lord, who 
has given us wisdom, and a 
heart to understand his secrets. 
For so says the prophet, 17 Who 
shall understand the hard say- 
ings of the Lord 1 18 But he 
that is wise, and intelligent, and 
that loves his Lord. 

11 Seeing therefore he has 
renewed us by the remission of 
our sins, he has 19 put us into 

10 Psalm exviii. 12. 

11 Psalm xxii. 18. 

12 Isaiah Hi. 9. « Bind. 

14 Exod. xxxiii. 1. 

15 Vid. Coteler. Annot. Marg. ex Clem. 
Alex. 

16 Uf>or(oiTov. 17 Osee xiv. ult. 
is Prov. i. 6, 

19 Gr. made us another form; 



Christ's 



BARNABAS. 



sufferings. 



another frame, that we should 
have souls like 1 those of chil- 
dren, forming us again himself 
2 by the Spirit. 

12 For thus the Scripture 
saith concerning us, 3 where it 
introduceth the Father speaking 
to the Son ; 4 Let us make man 
after our likeness and similitude ; 
and let them have dominion over 
the beasts of the earth, and over 
the fowls of the air, and over 
the fish of the sea. 

13 And when the Lord saw 
the man which he had formed, 
that behold he was very good, 
he said, 5 Increase and multiply, 
and replenish the earth. And 
this he spake to his son. 

14 I will now show you, how 
he made us 6 a new creature, in 
the latter days : 

15 The Lord saith; 7 Behold, 
I will make the last as the first. 
Wherefore the prophet thus 
spake ; 8 Enter into the land flow- 
ing with milk and honey, and 
have dominion over it. 

16 Wherefore ye see how we 
are again formed anew ; as also 
he speaks by another prophet : 
9 Behold, saith the Lord, I will 
take from them, that is, from 
those whom the Spirit of the 
Lord foresaw, their hearts of 
stone, and I will put into them 
hearts of flesh. 

17 Because he was about to 
be made manifest in the flesh, 
and to dwell in us. 



» Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 30. b. 

2 Vid. Vet. Lat. Interp. 

3 As he saith to the Son. 

< Gen. L 26. Comp. Coloss. iii. 10. 

5 Gen. i. 28. 

6 Gr. a second formation. 

^ Isaiah xliii. 13, 19. Matt. xx. 16. 



18 For, my brethren, the 
habitation of our heart is a 
10 holy temple unto the Lord. 
For the Lord saith again, n In 
what place shall I appear before 
the Lord my God, and be glori- 
fied] 

19 He answers, I will confess 
unto thee in the congregation 
in the midst of my brethren ; 
and will sing unto thee in the 
church of the saints. 

20 Wherefore we are they 
whom he has brought into that 
good land. 

21 12 But what signifies the 
milk and honey? Because as 
the child is nourished first with 
milk, and then with honey; so 
we, being kept alive by the belief 
of his promises, and his word, 
shall live and have dominion over 
the land. 

22 For he foretold above, 
saying, Increase, and multiply, 
and have dominion over the 
fishes, &lc. 

23 But who is there that is 
now able to have this dominion 
over the wild beasts, or fishes, 
or fowls of the air 1 For you 
know that to rule is to have 
power, that a man should be set 
over what he rules. 

24 But forasmuch as this we 
have not now, he tells us when 
we shall have it ; namely, when 
we shall become perfect, that we 
may be made inheritors of the 
covenant of the Lord. 



8 Comp. Heb. iii. 
Ezek. xi. 19. 

10 So St. Paul", 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17. vi. 19. 

11 Psalm xlii. 2. 

12 Comp. Hier. in Jer. xxxii. 22, et in 
Jer. xi. 5. Add. 1 Pet. ii 2. 



147 



The scape-goat 



BARNABAS. 



evidently 



CHAP. VI. 



The scape-goat, an evident type of this. 

UNDERSTAND then, my 
beloved children, that the 
good God hath before manifested 
all things unto us, that we might 
know to whom we ought always 
to give thanks and praise. 

2 If therefore the Son of 
God, who is the Lord of all, and 
shall come to judge both the 
quick and dead, hath suffered, 
that by his stripes we might live ; 
let us believe that the Son of 
God could not have suffered but 
for us. But, being crucified, 
they gave him vinegar and gall 
to drink. 

3 Hear, therefore, how the 
priests of the temple did fore- 
show this also: l the Lord, by his 
command which was written, 
declared that whosoever did not 
fast the appointed fast, 2 he 
should die the death : because 
he also was himself one day to 
offer up his 3 body for our sins ; 
that so the type of what was 
done in 4 Isaac might be fulfilled, 
Who was offered upon the altar. 

4 What therefore is it that he 
says by the prophet ? 5 And let 
them eat of the goat which is 
offered in the day of the fast for 
all their sins. Hearken diligent- 
ly (my brethren), and all the 
priests, and they only shall eat 
the inwards, not washed with 
vinegar. 

1 See this applied after the same man- 
ner, Heb. ix. 

2 Levit. xxiii. 29. 

3 The vessel of his spirit. 

4 Gen. xxii. 

* Numb. xxix. &c. Vid. Coteler. in 
Marg. et Annot. in loc. Comp. Observ. 
Edit. Oxon. 

148 



5 Why so? because I 6 know 
that when I shall hereafter offer 
my flesh for the sins of a new 
people, ye will give me vinegar 
to drink mixed with gall ; there- 
fore do ye only eat, the people 
fasting the while, and lamenting 
in sackcloth and ashes. 

G And that he might fore- 
show, that he was to suffer for 
them, hear then, how he ap- 
pointed it. 

7 7 Take, says he, two goats, 
fair and alike, and offer them ; 
and let the high-priest take one 
of them for a burnt-offering, 
And what must be done with 
the other ? Let it, says he, be 
accursed. 

8 Consider how exactly this 
appears to have been a type of 
Jesus. 8 And let all the congre- 
gation spit upon it, and prick it ; 
and put the scarlet wool about 
its head : and thus let it be car- 
ried forth into the wilderness. 

9 And this being done, he 
that was appointed to convey 
the goat, led it into the wilder- 
ness, 9 and took away the scarlet 
wool, and put it upon a thorn- 
bush, whose 10 young sprouts 
when we find them in the field 
we are wont to eat : so the fruit 
of that thorn only is sweet. 

10 And to what end was this 
ceremony 1 Consider ; one was 
offered upon the altar, the other 
was accursed. 

11 And why was that which 

6 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. 

7 Levit. xvi. Vid. Maimon, Tract, de 
Die Exp. Edit, du Veil. p. 350. Add. 
Annot. Cotcl. and Ed. Oxon. in loc. 

s Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 40. a. 41. b. 
9 Vid. Maim. ibid, page 341. Comp. 
Annot. Edit. Oxon. in loc. 
10 Vid. Annoti Isaac Voss. in loc. 



typical 



BARNABAS. 



of Christ. 



was accursed, crowned? Be- 
cause they shall see Christ in 
that day having a scarlet garment 
about his body; and shall say, 
Is not this he whom we crucifi- 
ed ; having despised him, pierced 
him, mocked him 1 Certainly, 
this is he, who then said, that 
he was the Son of God. 

12 l As therefore he shall be 
then like to what he was on 
earth, so were the Jews hereto- 
fore commanded to take two 
goats, fair and equal. That 
when they shall see (our Saviour) 
hereafter coming (in the clouds 
of heaven), they may be amazed 
at the likeness of the goats. 

13 Wherefore 2 ye here again 
see a type of Jesus who was to 
suffer for us. 

14 But what then signifies 
this, That the wool was to be 
put into the midst of the thorns ? 

15 This also is a figure of 
Jesus, set out to the church. 
For as he who would take away 
the scarlet wool must undergo 
many difficulties, because that 
thorn was very sharp, and with 
difficulty get it : 3 So they, says 
Christ, that will see me, and 
come to my kingdom, must 
through many afflictions and 
troubles attain unto me. 

CHAP. VII. 

The red heifer, another type of Christ. 

BUT what 4 type do ye sup- 
pose it to have been, where 
it is commanded 5 to the people 
of Israel, that grown persons in 



1 The Greek is imperfect. 

2 Vid. Lat. Ver. 

3 See Acts xiv. 22. 

4 Numb. xix. 

13* 



whom sins are come to perfec- 
tion, should offer a heifer ; and, 
after they had killed it, should 
burn the same : 

2 But then young men should 
take up the ashes and put them 
in vessels ; and tie a piece of 
scarlet wool and hyssop upon a 
stick, and so the young men 
should sprinkle every one of the 
people, and they should be clear 
from their sins 1 

3 Consider how all these are 
delivered in a 6 figure to us. 

4 This heifer is Jesus Christ ; 
the wicked men that were to 
offer it, are those sinners who 
brought him to death ; who af- 
terwards have no more to do 
with it; the sinners have no 
more the honour^of handling of it: 

5 But the young men that 
performed the sprinkling, signi- 
fied those who preach to us the 
forgiveness of sins, and the puri- 
fication of the heart, to whom 
the Lord gave authority to 
preach his Gospel : being at the 
beginning twelve, 7 to signify the 
tribes, because there were twelve 
tribes of Israel. 

6 But why were there three 
young men appointed to sprin- 
kle ? To denote Abraham, and 
Isaac, and Jacob, because they 
were great before God. 

7 And why was the wool put 
upon a 8 stick 1 Because the 
kingdom of Jesus was founded 
upon the 8 cross ; and therefore 
they that put their trust in him, 
shall live for ever. 



5 That this was also a type of Chnst, 
see Heb. ix. 13. 

6 Vid. Vet. Lat. Interpr. Simplicity,Gr.> 

7 Gr. to testify. 8 Wood. 

149 



Circumcision 



BARNABAS. 



of the cars. 



8 But why was the wool and 
nyssop put together 1 To signify 
that in the kingdom of Christ 
there shall be evil and filthy 
days, in which, however, we shall 
be saved ; and * because he that 
has any disease in the flesh by 
some filthy humours, is cured by 
hyssop. 

9 Wherefore, these things 
being thus done, are to us in- 
deed evident, but to the 2 Jews 
they are obscure ; because they 
hearkened not unto the voice of 
the Lord. 

CHAP. VIII. 

Of the circumcision of the ears : and how in 
the first institution of circumcision, Abra- 
ham mystically foretold Christ by name. 

AND therefore the Scripture 
again speaks concerning 
our ears, that God has circum- 
cised them, together with our 
hearts. For thus saith the Lord 
by the holy prophet: 3 By the 
hearing of the ear they obeyed 
me. 

2 And again, 4 They who' are 
tfar off, shall hear and under- 
stand what things I have done. 
And again, 5 Circumcise your 
hearts, saith the Lord. 

3 And again he saith, 6 Hear, 
O Israel ! For thus saith the 
Lord thy God. And again the 
Spirit of God prophesieth, say- 
ing, 7 Who is there that would 
live for ever, 8 let him hear the 
voice of my Son. 

4 And again, 9 Hear, O Heav- 
en, and give ear, O Earth ! 

» Vid. Coteler. in loc. 9 Them. 

s Septuag. Psalm xviii. 44. 

4 Isaiah xxxiii. 13. 5 Jer. iv. 4. 

6 Jer. vii. 2. 

7 Psalms xxxiii. xxxiv. 

• Isaiah 1. 10. 9 Isaiah i. 2. 

150 



because the Lord has spoken 
these things for a witness. 

5 And again he saith, 10 Hear 
the word of the Lord, ye princes 
of the people. And again, 

11 Hear, O children ! The voice 
of one crying in the wilderness. 

6 Wherefore he has circum- 
cised our ears, that we should 
hear his word, and believe. But 
as for that circumcision, in which 
the Jews trust, it is abolished. 
For the circumcision of which 
God spake, was not of the flesh : 

7 But they have transgressed 
his commands, because the evil 

12 one hath deceived them. For 
thus God bespeaks them; 13 Thus 
saith the Lord your God (Here 
I find the new law), Sow not 
among thorns; but circumcise 
yourselves to the Lord your God. 
And what doth he mean by this 
saying? Hearken unto your 
Lord. 

8 And again he saith, 14 Cir- 
cumcise the hardness of your 
heart, and harden not your neck, 
And again, 15 Behold, saith the 
Lord, all the nations are uncir- 
cumcised (they have not lost 
their fore-skin) ; but this people 
is uncircumcised in heart. 

9 But you will say 16 the Jews 
were circumcised for a sign. 
17 And so are all the Syrians and 
Arabians, and all the idolatrous 
priests : but are they therefore 
of the covenant of Israel ? And 
even the Egyptians themselves 
are circumcised. 

io Isaiah i. 10. » Isaiah xl. 3. 

12 Angel. 13 Jer. iv. 3, 4. 

14 Jer. iv. 4. l5 Deut. x. 16. 

* 6 That people. 

17 Vid. Coteler, in loc. confer. Orig. 
ad Rom. cap. ii. 25. 



Spiritual meaning 



BARNABAS. 



of the clean 



10 Understand, there fore, chil- 
dren, these things more fully, 
that Abraham, who was the first 
that brought in circumcision, 
looking forward in the spirit to 
Jesus, circumcised, having re- 
ceived the mystery of three 
letters. 

11 For the Scripture says, 
that Abraham circumcised three 
hundred and eighteen men of 
his house. 1 But what therefore 
was the mystery that was made 
known unto him ? 

12 Mark, first the eighteen, 
and next the three hundred. 
For the numeral letters of ten 
and eight are I H. And these 
denote Jesus. 

13 And because the cross was 
that by which we were to find 
grace ; therefore he adds, three 
hundred ; the note of which is 
T (the figure of his cross.) 
Wherefore, by two letters, he 
signified Jesus, and by the third 
his cross. 

14 He who has put the en- 
grafted gift of his doctrine with- 
in us, knows, that I never taught 
to any one a more 2 certain 
truth ; but I trust that ye are 
worthy of it. 

CHAP. IX. 

That the commands of Moses concerning 
clean and unclean beasts, &c. were all de- 
signed for a spiritual signification. 

BUT why did Moses say, 
s Ye shall not eat of the 
swine, neither the eagle, nor 

1 That many others of the ancient Fa- 
thers have concurred with him in this : 
see Coteler, in loc. Add. Eund. p. 34, 35. 
ibid Ed. Oxon. in loc. An instance of 
the like kind. See Rev. xiii. 17, 18. 
Add. Annot. D. Bernard, Edit. Oxon. p. 
125. 



the hawk, nor the crow, nor 
any fish that has not a scale 
upon him ? — I answer, that 
in the spiritual sense, he com- 
prehended three doctrines, that 
were to be 4 gathered from 
thence. 

2 Besides which he says to 
them in the book of Deuterono- 
my, and I will give my statutes 
unto this people. Wherefore it 
is not the command of God that 
they should not eat these things ; 
but Moses in the Spirit spake 
unto them. 

3 Now the sow he forbade 
them to eat ; meaning thus 
much : thou shalt not join thy- 
self to such persons as are like 
unto swine; who, whilst they 
live in pleasure, forget their 
God ; but when any want pinches 
them, then they know the Lord : 
as the sow, when she is full, 
knows not her master ; but when 
she is hungry, she makes a 
noise ; and being again fed, is 
silent. 

4 Neither, says he, shalt thou 
eat the eagle, nor the hawk, nor 
the kite, nor the crow, that is, 
thou shalt not keep company 
with such kind of men as know 
not how by their labour and 
sweat to get themselves food ; 
but injuriously ravish away the 
things of others; and watch 
how to lay snares for them ; when 
at the same time they appear to 
live in perfect innocence. 

2 Genuine. 

3 That in this he goes on the received 
opinion of the RR. Vid. Annot. Coteler. 
and Ed. Oxon. in loc. Levitic. xi. Deut. 
xiv. Add. Ainsworth on Lev. xi. 1. And 
again on Deut. xiv. 4. 

4 In the understanding. Deut. iv. 

151 



beasts, fyc. under 



BARNABAS. 



the law of Moses. 



5 ( 1 So these birds alone seek 
not food for themselves, but) sit- 
ting idle seek how they may eat 
of the flesh which others have 
provided ; being destructive 
through their wickedness. 

6 Neither, says he, shalt thou 
eat the lamprey, nor the polypus, 
nor the cuttle-fish ; that is, thou 
shalt not be like such men, by 
nsing to converse with them ; 
Who are 2 altogether wicked and 
adjudged to death. For so those 

;s are alone accursed, and 
ow in the mire, nor swim as 
ot'ner fishes, but tumble in the 
dirt at the bottom of the deep. 

7 But he adds, 3 Neither shalt 
thou eat of the hare. To what 
end 1 — To signify this to us ; 
4 thou shalt not be an adulterer ; 
nor liken thyself to such persons. 
For the hare every year multi- 
plies 5 the places of its concep- 
tion ; and as many years as it 
lives, so many 6 it has. 

8 Neither shalt thou eat of 
the hyena : that is, again, be not 
an adulterer ; nor a corrupter of 
others ; neither be like to such. 
And wherefore so? — 7 Because 
that creature every year changes 
its kind, and is sometimes male, 
and sometimes female. 

9 For which cause also he 
justly hated the weasel ; to the 
end that they should not be like 
such persons who with their 
mouths commit wickedness, by 
reason of their uncleanness ; nor 



1 Vid. Antiq. Lat. Vers. 

2 Wicked to the end. 

3 See Coteler. Annot. in loc. 

4 Thou shalt not abuse thyself with 
mankind. 

5 AQoSwciv. 9 Tpvnas. 

7 So several naturalists have affirmed, 

152 



join themselves with those im- 
pure women, who with their 
mouths commit wickedness. 
8 Because that animal conceives 
with its mouth. 

10 Moses therefore, speaking 
as concerning meats, delivered 
indeed three great precepts to 
them in the spiritual signification 
of those commands. But they, 
according to the desires of the 
flesh, understood him as if he 
had only meant it of meats. 

11 And therefore David took 
aright the knowledge of his 
threefold command, saying, in 
like manner ; 

12 9 Blessed is the man that 
hath not walked in the counsel 
of the ungodly ; as the fishes 
before-mentioned, in the bottom 
of the deep in darkness. 

13 Nor stood in the way of 
sinners, as they who seem to fear 
the Lord, but yet sin, as the sow. 

14 And hath not sat in the 
seat of the scorners; as those 
birds who sit and watch that 
they may devour. 

15 Here you have the law 
concerning meat perfectly set 
forth, and according to the true 
knowledge of it. 

16 But says Moses, 10 Ye shall 
eat all that divideth the hoof, 
and cheweth the cud. Signify- 
ing thereby such a one as having 
taken his food, knows him that 
nourisheth him ; and resting 
upon him, rejoiceth in him. 

though others deny it. — See Annot. Cote- 
ler. in loc. 

8 Vid. Arist. apud Euseb. Prsep. 
Evang. L. viii. cap. 9. Add. Coteler. m 
loc. 9 Psalm i. 1. 

10 See Edit. Oxon. p. 64. a. So Iren. 
adv. Her. 1. v. c. 8. 



Baptism and 



BARNABAS. 



the cross 



17 And in this he spake well, 
having respect to the command- 
ment. x What therefore is it that 
he says ? — That we should hold 
fast to them that fear the Lord ; 
with those who meditate on the 
command of the word which 
they have received, in their 
heart; with those that declare 
the righteous judgments of the 
Lord ; and keep his command- 
ments ; 

18 In short, with those who 
know that to meditate is a work 
of pleasure, and therefore 2 ex- 
ercise themselves in the word of 
the Lord. 

19 But why might they eat 
those that clave the hoof? Be- 
cause the righteous liveth in this 
present world ; but his expecta- 
tion is fixed upon the other. See, 
brethren, how admirably Moses 
commanded these things. 

20 But how should we thus 
know all this, and understand 
it ? We, therefore, understand- 
ing aright the commandments, 
speak as the Lord would have us. 
Wherefore he has circumcised 
our ears and our hearts, that we 
might know these things. 

CHAP. X. 

Baptism and the cross of Christ foretold in 
figures under the law. 

LET us now inquire whether 
the Lord took care to man- 
ifest any thing beforehand con- 
cerning water and the cross. 

2 Now for the former of these, 
it is written to the people of Is- 



1 Comp. Clem. Alex. 1. iii. c. 
si mil. Orig. Theod. &c. Coteler. 



11. et 
Annot. 



in loc. 
2 Ruminate upon. 



3 Jeremiah ii. 12. 



rael how they shall not receive 
that baptism which brings to 
forgiveness of sins ; but shall in- 
stitute another to themselves, that 
cannot. 

3 For thus saith the prophet, 
3 Be astonished, O Heaven ! and 
let the earth tremble at it, be- 
cause this people have done two 
great and wicked things, they 
have left me, the fountain of liv- 
ing water, and have digged for 
themselves broken cisterns that 
can hold no water. 

4 Is my holy mountain 4 Zion 
a desolate wilderness 1 5 For ye 
shall be as a young bird when its 
nest is taken away. 

5 And again the prophet saith, 
6 1 will go before thee, and will 
make plain the mountains, and 
will break the gates of brass, and 
will snap in sunder the bars of 
iron; and will give thee dark, 
and hidden, and invisible treas- 
ures, that they may know that I 
am the Lord God. 

6 And again ; He shall dwell 
7 in the high den of the strong 
rock. And then, what follows in 
the same prophet ? His water is 
faithful : ye shall see the king 
with glory, and your soul shall 
learn the fear of the Lord. 

7 And again he saith in 
another prophet ; He that does 
these things 8 shall be like a 
tree planted by the currents of 
water, which shall give its fruit 
in its season. Its leaf also shall 
not wither, and whatsoever he 
doth it shall prosper. 

4 Vid. Annot. Coteler. and Ed. Oxoa, 
in loc. 

5 Isaiah xvi. 1, 2. 6 Isaiah xlv. 2. 
7 Isa. xxxiii. 16, 17. 8 Psalm i. 

153 



foretold in 



BARNABAS. 



Jigures 



8 As for the wicked ,^ it is not 
so with them ; but they are as 
the dust which the wind scatter- 
eth away from the face of the 
earth. 

9 Therefore the ungodly shall 
not stand in the judgment, 
neither the sinners in the coun- 
cil of the righteous. For the 
Lord knoweth the way of the 
righteous, and the way of the 
ungodly shall perish. 

10 Consider how he has join- 
ed both the cross and the water 
together. 

11 For this he saith ; Blessed 
are they who put their trust in 
the cross, descend into the wa- 
ter ; for they shall have their re- 
ward in due time ; then, saith 
he, will I give it them. 

12 But as concerning the 
present time, he saith, their 
leaves shall not fall ; meaning 
thereby, that every word that 
shall go out of your mouth, shall 
through faith and charity be to 
the conversion and hope of many. 

13 In like manner doth an- 
other prophet speak. i And the 
land of Jacob was the praise of 
all the earth ; 2 magnifying there- 
by 3 the vessel of his spirit. 

14 And what follows ? — And 
there was a river running on the 
right hand, and beautiful trees 
grew up by it ; and he that shall 
eat of them shall live forever. 
The signification of which is 
this ; that we go down into the 

1 Zeph. iii. 20. 

2 For tovto \eyet, and o, the Old Inter- 

f>reter did not read : and Clemens Alex, 
ib. iii. Strom, p. 463., transcribing this 
passage, hath them not. 
3 i.e. The body of Christ. 

154 



water full of sins and pollutions ; 
but come up again bringing forth 
fruit; having in our hearts the 
fear and hope which is in Jesus, 
by the spirit. And whosoever 
shall eat of them shall live for 
ever. 

15 That is, whosoever shall 
hearken to those who call them, 
and shall believe, shall live for 
ever. 

CHAP. XI. 

The subject continued. 

IN like manner he determines 
concerning the cross in 4 an- 
other prophet, saying : And when 
shall these things be fulfilled ? 

2 The Lord answers, When 
the tree that is fallen shall rise, 
and when blood shall drop down 
from the tree. Here you have 
again mention made, both of the 
cross, and of him that was to be 
crucified upon it. 

3 5 And yet farther he saith 
by Moses (when Israel was 
fighting with, and beaten by, a 
strange people ; to the end that 
God might put 6 them in mind 
how that for their sins they were 
delivered unto death) ; yea, the 
Holy Spirit put it into the heart 
of Moses, to represent both the" 
sign of the cross, and of him that 
was to suffer ; that so they might 
know that if they did not believe 
in him, they should be overcome 
for ever. 

4 Moses therefore 7 piled up 

4 Vid. Conject. Edit. Oxon. Comp. iv. 
Esdr. v. 4. et Obs. Cotel. in loc. 

5 See St. Hier. in like manner. Annot. 
D. Bernard, p. 124. Edit. Oxon. Ex. xvii. 

6 That were so beaten. 

7 Again set them in array, being armed. 
Lat. Vers. 



under 



BARNABAS. 



the late. 



armour upon armour in the mid- 
dle of a rising ground, and stand- 
ing up high above all of them, 
stretched forth his arms, and so 
Israel again conquered. 

5 But no sooner did he let 
down his hands, but they were 
again slain. And why so ? — To 
the end they might know, that 
except they trust in him, they 
cannot be saved. 

6 And in another prophet he 
saith, * I have stretched out my 
hands all the day long to a peo- 
ple disobedient, and speaking 
against my righteous way. 

7 And again Moses makes a 
2 type of Jesus, to show that he 
was to die, and then that he, 
whom they thought to be dead, 
was to give life to others; in 
the 3 type of 4 those that fell in 
Israel. 

8 For God caused all sorts of 
serpents to bite them, and they 
died ; forasmuch as by a serpent, 
transgression began in Eve ; that 
so he might convince them that 
for their transgressions they shall 
be delivered into the pain of 
death. 

9 Moses then himself, who 
had commanded them, saying, 
5 Ye shall not make to yourselves 
any graven or molten image, to 
be your god, yet now did so 
himself, that he might represent 
to them the figure of the Lord 
Jesus. 

10 For he made a brazen ser- 
pent, and set it up on high, and 

1 Isaiah lxv. 2. 

8 So Irenfeus, Just. Mart. St. Chrysost. 
&c. Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 77. a. 
3 Sign. 4 Israel falling. 

5 Deut. xxvii. 15. 
8 Rom. xi. 36. 



called the people together by a 
proclamation : where being come, 
they entreated Moses that he 
would make an atonement for 
them, and pray that they might 
be healed. 

11 Then Moses spake unto 
them, saying, When any one 
among you shall be bitten, Jet 
him come unto the serpent that 
is set upon the pole; and let 
him assuredly trust in him, that 
though he be dead, yet he is able 
to give life, and presently he shall 
be saved ; and so they did. See 
therefore how here also you have 
in this the glory of Jesus ; and 
that 6 in him and to him are all 
things. 

12 Again ; What says Moses 
to Jesus the Son of Nun, when 
he gave that name unto him, as 
being a prophet, that all the peo- 
ple might hear him alone, 7 be- 
cause the Father did manifest all 
things concerning his Son Jesus, 
in 8 Jesus the Son of Nun ; and 
gave him that name when he 
sent him to spy out the land of 
Canaan; 9 he said, Take a book 
in thine hands, and write what 
the Lord saith : forasmuch as 
Jesus the Son of God shall in 
the last days cut off by the roots 
all the house of Amalek. See 
here again Jesus, not the son of 
man, but the son of God, made 
manifest in a type and in the flesh. 

13 But because it might here- 
after be said, that Christ was the 
Son of David ; 10 therefore David, 

7 Deut. xviii. 15 7 18. 

s So the other Fathers. Just. Mart. 
&c. Vid. Edit. Oxon. page 79. 

9 Vid. Interp. Vet. Lat. Exod. xvii. 
14. 

10 Comp. Vet. Lat. Interp. 

155 



God} s promises 



BARNABAS. 



made to 



fearing and well knowing the 
errors of the wicked, saith, l The 
Lord said unto my Lord, Sit 
thou on my right hand until I 
make thine enemies thy foot- 
stool. 

14 And again Isaiah speaketh 
on this wise, The Lord said unto 
2 Christ my Lord, I have laid hold 
on his right hand, that the nations 
should obey before him, and I 
will break the strength of kings. 

15 Behold, how both 3 David 
and Isaiah call him Lord, and 
the Son of God. 

CHAP. XII. 

The promise of God not made to the Jews 
only, but to the Gentiles also, and fulfilled 
to us by Jesus Christ. 

BUT let us go yet further and 
inquire whether this peo- 
ple be the heir, or the former ; 
and whether the covenant be 
with us, or with them. 

2 And first, as concerning 
the people, hear now what the 
Scripture saith. 

3 4 Isaac prayed for his wife 
Rebekah, beeause she was bar- 
ten; and she conceived. After- 
wards, Rebekah went forth to 
inquire of the Lord. 

4 And the Lord said unto her, 
There are two nations in thy 
womb, and two people shall come 
from thy body ; and the one shall 
have power over the other ; and 
the greater shall serve the lesser. 
Understand here who was Isaac ; 
who Rebekah ; and of whom it 
was foretold, that this people 
should be greater than that. 

1 Psalm, ex. 1. 

2 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. Edit. 
Qxon. page 78, c. Isaiah xlv. 1. 

3 Comp. Vet. Lat. Interp. 

* Gen. xxv. 21. Comp. St. Paul, Rom. 

156 



5 And in another prophecy 
Jacob speaketh more clearly to 
his son Joseph, saying, 5 Behold, 
the Lord hath not deprived me 
of seeing thy face : bring me thy 
sons, that I may bless them. 
And he brought unto his father 
6 Manasseh and Ephraim, desir- 
ing that he should bless Manas- 
seh, because he was the elder. 

6 Therefore Joseph brought 
him to the right hand of his 
father Jacob. But Jacob by the 
spirit foresaw the figure of the 
people that was to come. 

7 And what saith the Scrip- 
ture? And Jacob crossed his 
hands, and put his right hand 
upon Ephraim, his second and 
the younger son, and blessed 
him. And Joseph said unto 
Jacob, Put thy right hand upon 
the head of Manasseh, for he is 
my first born son. And Jacob 
said unto Joseph, I know it, my 
son, I know it ; but the greater 
shall serve the lesser ; though he 
also shall be blessed. 

8 Ye see of whom he ap- 
pointed it, that they should be 
the first people, and heirs of the 
covenant. 

9 If therefore God shall have 
yet further taken notice of this 
by Abraham too; our under- 
standing of it will then be per- 
fectly established. 

10 What then saith the Scrip- 
ture to Abraham, when he 7 be- 
lieved, and it was imputed unto 
him for righteousness 1 Behold, 
I have made thee a father of the 

ix. Just. Mart. Tert. &c. Vid. Edit. 
Oxon. p. 81. a. 

5 Gen. xlviii. 6 Vid. Lat. Interp. Vet. 

' Gen. xv. 6. So St. Paul himself ap 
plies this j Rom. iv. 3. 



the Gentiles, and 



BARNABAS. 



fulfilled in Christ, 



nations, which without circum- 
cision believe in the Lord. 

11 Let us therefore now in- 
quire, whether God has fulfilled 
the covenant, which he sware to 
our fathers, that he would give 
this people? Yes, verily, he gave 
it : but they were not worthy to 
receive it by reason of their 
sins. 

12 For thus saith the prophet : 
1 And Moses continued fasting 
in Mount Sinai, to receive the 
covenant of the Lord with the 
people, forty days and forty 
nights. 

13 2 And he received of the 
Lord two tables written with the 
finger of the Lord's hand in the 
Spirit. And Moses, when he 
had received them, brought them 
down that he might deliver them 
to the people. 

14 And the Lord said unto 
Moses; 3 Moses, Moses, get thee 
down quickly, for the people 
which thou broughtest out of the 
land of Egypt have done wick- 
edly. 

15 And Moses understood 
that they had again set up a 
molten image ; and he cast the 
two tables out of his hands ; and 
the tables of the covenant of the 
Lord were broken. Moses there- 
fore received them, but they were 
not worthy. 

16 Now then learn how we 
have received them. Moses, 
being a servant, took them ; but 
the Lord himself has given them 
unto us, that we might be the 



1 Exod. xxiv. 18. 

2 Deut. ix. 10. Exod. xxxi. 18. 

3 Exod. xxxii. 7. Deut. ix. 12. 

4 Vid. Lat. Interp. Vet. 

14 



people of his inheritance, having 
suffered for us. 

17 He was therefore made 
manifest ; that they should fill 
up the measure of their sins, 
and that we, 4 being made heirs 
by him, should receive the cove- 
nant of the Lord Jesus. 

18 And again the prophet 
saith : 5 Behold, I have set thee 
for a light unto the Gentiles, to 
be 6 the Saviour of all the ends 
of the earth, saith the Lord, the 
God who hath redeemed thee. 

19 Who for that very end 
was prepared, that by his own 
appearing he might redeem our 
hearts, already devoured by 
death, and delivered over to the 
irregularity of error, from dark- 
ness ; and establish a covenant 
with us by his word. 

20 For so it is written, that 
the Father commanded him, by 
delivering us from darkness, to 
prepare unto himself a holy 
people. 

21 Wherefore the prophet 
saith, 7 I the Lord thy God have 
called thee in righteousness, and 
I" will take thee by thy hand, 
and I will strengthen thee. And 
give thee for a covenant of the 
people, for a light of the Gen- 
tiles. 8 To open the eyes of the 
blind, to bring out the prisoners 
from the prison, and them that 
sit in darkness out of the prison- 
house. 

22 Consider therefore from 
whence we have been redeemed. 
And again the prophet saith, 



5 Isaiah xlix. 6. 

6 For salvation unto. 

7 Isaiah xlii. 6. 

8 Verse 7. 

157 



Jewish sabbath 



BARNABAS. 



typical 



1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon 
me, because he hath anointed 
me ; he hath sent me to preach 
glad tidings to the lowly ; to heal 
the broken in heart ; to preach 
remission to the captives, and 
sight unto the blind ; to proclaim 
the acceptable year of the Lord, 
and the day of restitution ; to 
comfort all that mourn. 

CHAP. XIII. 

That the sabbath of the Jews was but a figure 
of a more glorious sabbath to come, and 
their temple, of the spiritual temples of God. 

FURTHERMORE, it is 
written concerning the 
sabbath, in the Ten 2 Command- 
ments, which God spake in the 
Mount Sinai to Moses, 3 face to 
face : Sanctify the sabbath of the 
Lord with pure hands, and with 
a clean heart. 

2 And elsewhere he saith, 
4 If thy children shall keep my 
sabbaths, then will I put my 
mercy upon them. 

3 And even in the beginning 
of the creation he makes men- 
tion of the sabbath. 5 And God 
made in six days the works of 
his hands ; and he finished them 
on the 6 seventh day, and he 
rested the seventh day, and 
sanctified it. 

4 Consider, my children, what 
that signifies, he finished them 
in six days. The meaning of it 
is this ; that in ~ six thousand 
years the Lord God will bring 
all things to an end. 



1 Isaiah lxi. 1, 2. Comp. Luke iv. 18. 

2 Words. 3 Exod. xx. 8. 

4 Jer. xvii. 24. 

5 Gen. ii. 2. Exod. xx. 11. xxxi. 17. 

6 Vid. Coteler. Annot. in loc. 

7 How general this tradition then was, 

158 



5 For with him one day is a 
thousand years, as himself testi- 
fieth, saying, Behold this day 
shall be as a thousand years. 
Therefore, children, in six days, 
that is, in six thousand years, 
shall 8 all things be accomplished. 

6 And what is that he saith, 
And he rested the seventh 
day : he meaneth this, that when 
his Son shall come, and abolish 
the season of the 9 Wicked One, 
and judge the ungodly; and 
shall change the sun and the 
moon, and the stars; then he 
shall gloriously rest in that 
seventh day. 

7 He adds, lastly, Thou shalt 
sanctify it with clean hands and 
a pure heart. Wherefore, we 
are greatly deceived if we ima- 
gine that any one can now sanc- 
tify that day which God has 
made holy, without having a 
heart pure in all things. 

8 Behold, therefore, he will 
then truly sanctify it with blessed 
rest, when we (having received 
the righteous promise, when ini- 
quity shall be no more, all things 
being renewed by the Lord) 
shall be able to sanctify it, being 
ourselves first made holy. 

9 Lastly, he saith unto them : 
10 Your new moons and your 
sabbaths I cannot bear them. 
Consider what he means by it ; 
the sabbaths, says he, which ye 
now keep, are not acceptable 
unto me, but those which I have 



See Coteler. Annot. in loc. Edit. Oxon. 
page 90, a. Psalm lxxxix. 4. 

8 That is, to the time of the Gospel, 
says Dr. Bernard, q. v. Annot. p. 127. 
Ed. Oxon. 

9 So the Lat. Vers. 10 Isaiah i. 13. 



The temple 



BARNABAS. 



typical. 



made ; when, resting from all 
things, I shall begin 1 the eighth 
day, that is, the beginning of the 
other world. 

10 For which cause we ob- 
serve the eighth day with glad- 
ness, in which Jesus rose from 
the dead, and having manifested 
himself to his disciples, ascend- 
ed into heaven. 

11 fl It remains yet that I 
speak to you concerning the 
temple; how those miserable 
men, being deceived, have put 
their trust in the 2 house, and 
not in God himself who made 
them ; as if it were the habitation 
of God. 

12 For much after the same 
manner as the Gentiles, they 
consecrated him in the temple. 

13 But learn therefore how 
the Lord speaketh, rendering 
the temple vain : 3 Who has 
measured the heaven with a 
span, and the earth with his 
hand 1 Is it not I ? Thus saith 
the Lord, 4 Heaven is my throne, 
and the earth is my footstool. 
What is the house that ye will 
build me ? Or what is the place 
of my rest ? Know therefore 
that all their hope is vain. 

14 And again he speaketh 
after this manner : Behold, they 
that destroy this temple, even 
they shall again build it up. 
And so it came to pass ; for 
through their wars it is now de- 
stroyed by their enemies; and the 
servants of their enemies build 
it up. 



1 So the other Fathers, q. v. apud Cot- 
eler. Annot. in loc. p. 36. 

2 Vid. Edit. Oxon. et Vet. Lat. Interp. 

3 Isaiah xl. 12. 



15 Furthermore, it has been 
made manifest, how both the 
city and the temple, and the 
people of Israel, should be given 
up. For the Scripture saith; 

5 And it shall come to pass in the 
last days, that the Lord will de- 
liver up the sheep of his pasture, 
and their fold, and their tower 
unto destruction. And it is 
come to pass, as the Lord hath 
spoken. 

16 Let us inquire, therefore, 
whether there be any temple of 
God 1 . Yes, there is : and that 
there, where himself declares 
that he would both make and 
perfect it. For it is written ; 

6 And it shall be that as soon as 
the week shall be completed, 
the temple of the Lord shall be 
gloriously built in the name of 
the Lord. 

17 I find therefore that there 
is a temple. But how shall it be 
built in the name of the Lord? 
I will show you. 

18 Before that we believed in 
God, the habitation of our heart 
was corruptible, and feeble, as a 
temple truly built with hands. 

19 For it was a house full of 
idolatry, a house of devils; inas- 
much as there was done in it 
whatsoever was contrary unto 
God. But it shall be built in the 
name of the Lord. 

20 Consider, how that the 
temple of the Lord shall be very 
gloriously built ; and by what 
means that shall be, learn. 

21 Having received remission 



4 Isaiah lxvi. 1. 

8 Zeph. ii. 6. juxt. Heb. 

6 Dan. ix. Hag-g-ai ii. 



159 



Of the way 



BARNABAS. 



of light. 



of our sins, and trusting in the 
name of the Lord, we are be- 
come renewed, being again cre- 
ated as it were from the begin- 
ning. Wherefore, God truly 
dwells in our house, that is, in us. 

22 But how does he dwell 
in us ? The word of his faith, 
the calling of his promise, the 
wisdom of his righteous judg- 
ments, the commands of his 
doctrine ; he himself prophesies 
within us, he himself dwelleth in 
us, and openeth to us who were 
in bondage of death the gate of 
1 our temple, that is, l the mouth 
of wisdom, having given repent- 
ance unto us ; and by this means 
has brought us to be an incor- 
ruptible temple. 

23 He therefore that desires 
to be saved looketh * not unto 
the man, but unto him that 
dwelleth in him, and speaketh 
by him ; being struck with won- 
der, forasmuch as he never either 
heard him speaking such words 
out of his mouth, nor ever desir- 
ed to hear them. 

24 This is that spiritual tem- 
ple that is built unto the Lord. 

CHAP. XIV. 

Of the way of light -, being a summary of 
what a Christian is to do, that he may be 
happy for ever. 

AND thus, I trust, I have 
declared to you as much, 
and with as great simplicity as I 
could, those things which make 
for your salvation, so as not to 
have omitted any thing that 
might be requisite thereunto. 

2 For should I speak further 
of the things that 2 now are, and 

1 Vid. Lat. Ver. Interp, 
8 So the old Lat. Interp. 

160 



of those that are to come, you 
would not yet understand them, 
seeing they lie in parables. 
This therefore shall suffice as to 
these things. 

3 Let us now go on to the 
bother kind of knowledge and 
doctrine. There are two ways 
of doctrine and power ; the one 
of light, the other of darkness, 

4 But there is a great deal of 
difference between these two 
ways ; for over one are appoint- 
ed the 3 angels of God ; the lead- 
ers of the way of light ; over the 
other, the angels of Satan. And 
the one is the Lord from ever- 
lasting to everlasting ; the other 
is the prince of the time of un- 
righteousness. 

5 Now the way of light is 
this, if any one desires to attain 
to the place that is appointed for 
him, and will hasten thither by 
his works. And the knowledge 
that has been given to us for 
walking in it, is to this effect : 
Thou shalt love him that made 
thee : thou shalt glorify him that 
hath redeemed thee from death. 

6 Thou shalt be simple in 
heart, and rich in the spirit. 
Thou shalt not cleave to those 
that walk in the way of death. 
Thou shalt hate to do any thing 
that is not pleasing unto God. 
Thou shalt abhor all dissimula- 
tion. Thou shalt not neglect 
any of the commands of the 
Lord. i 

7 Thou shalt not exalt thy- 
self, but shalt be humble. Thou 
shalt not + ake honour to thyself. 
Thou shalt not enter into any 

3 Vid. Coteler. in loc. et Basil, in 
Psalin i. 



Summary for 



BARNABAS. 



a Christian. 



wicked counsel against thy 
neighbour. Thou shalt not be 
over-confident in thy heart. 

8 Thou shalt not commit for- 
nication, nor adultery. Neither 
shalt thou corrupt thyself with 
mankind. Thou shalt not make 
use of the word of God, to any 
impurity. 

9 Thou shalt not accept any 
man's person, when thou reprov- 
est any one's faults. Thou shalt 
be gentle. Thou shalt be quiet. 
Thou shalt tremble at the words 
which thou hast heard. Thou 
shalt not keep any hatred in thy 
heart against thy brother. Thou 
shalt not entertain any doubt 
whether it shall be, or not. 

10 Thou shalt not take the 
name of the Lord in vain. Thou 
shalt love thy neighbour above 
thy own soul. 

11 Thou shalt not destroy 
thy conceptions before they are 
brought forth ; nor kill them af- 
ter they are born. 

12 Thou shalt not withdraw 
thy hand from thy son, or from 
thy daughter ; but shalt teach 
them from their youth the fear 
of the Lord. 

13 Thou shalt not covet thy 
neighbour's goods; neither shalt 
thou be l an extortioner. Nei- 
ther shall thy heart be joined to 
proud men ; but thou shalt be 
numbered among the righteous 
and the lowly. Whatever 
2 events shall happen unto thee, 
thou shalt receive them as good. 

1 Greedy. Tz\eovacTT)s. 2 Effects. 

3 See Ecclus. iv. 29. 

4 Ibid. ver. 28. For so I choose to 
read it, vnep ttjs ^X^ gov aywvtvaus, ac- 
cording' to the conjecture of Cotelenus. 

* Ibid. ver. 36. 

14* 



14 Thou shalt not be double- 
minded, or double-tongued; for 
a double tongue is the snare of 
death. Thou shalt be subject 
unto the Lord, and to inferior 
masters as to the representa- 
tives of God 5 in fear and rever- 
ence. 

15 Thou shalt not be bitter in 
thy commands towards any of 
thy servants that trust in God ; 
lest thou chance not to fear him 
who is over both ; because he 
came not to call any with respect 
of persons, but whomsoever the 
spirit had prepared. 

16 Thou shalt communicate 
to thy neighbour of all thou 
hast; thou shalt not call any 
thing thine own : for if ye par- 
take in such things as are incor- 
ruptible, how much more should 
ye do it in those that are cor- 
ruptible 1 

17 -3 Thou shalt not be for- 
ward to speak ; for the mouth is 
the snare of death. 4 Strive for 
thy soul with all thy might. 
5 Reach not out thine hand to 
receive, and withhold it not when 
thou shouldest give. 

18 Thou shalt love, as the 
apple of thine eye, every one 
that speaketh unto thee the 
Word of the Lord. 6 Call to 
thy remembrance, day and night, 
the future judgment. 

19 Thou shalt seek out every 
day the persons of the 7 right- 
eous : and both consider, and 
go about to exhort others by the 

6 And remember him night and day. 
The words vjiepai rjpiazus seem to have 
been erroneously inserted, and pervert 
the sense. 

7 Gr. Saints. 

161 



Way of 



BARNABAS. 



darkness, 



Word, and meditate how thou 
mayest save a soul. 

20 Thou shalt also labour 
with thy hands to give to the 
poor, l that thy sins may be for- 
given thee. Thou shalt not de- 
liberate whether thou shouldest 
give ; nor having given, murmur 
at it. 

21 Give to every one that 
asks; so shalt thou know who 
is the good rewarder of thy gifts. 

22 Keep what thou hast re- 
ceived; thou shalt neither add 
to it, nor take from it. 

23 Let the wicked be always 
thy aversion. Thou shalt judge 
righteous judgment. Thou shalt 
never cause divisions ; but shalt 
make peace between those that 
are at variance, and bring them 
together. 

24 Thou shalt confess thy 
sins; and not come to thy 
prayer with an evil conscience. 

25 This is the way of light. 

CHAP. XV. 

Of the way of darkness ; that is, what kind 
of persons shall be for ever cast out of the 
kingdom of God. 

BUT the way of darkness 
is crooked and full of curs- 
ing. For it is the way of eternal 
death, with punishment ; in 
which they that walk meet those 
things that destroy their own 
souls. 

2 Such are idolatry, confi- 
dence, pride of power, hypocri- 
sy, double-mindedness, adultery, 
murder, rapine, pride, transgres- 
sion, deceit, malice, arrogance, 
witchcraft, covetousness, and 
the want of the fear of God. 

1 Gr. For the redemption of thy sius. 
Comp. Dan. iv. 24. See lxx. 

162 



3 In this walk those who are 
the persecutors of them that are 
good ; haters of truth ; lovers of 
lies ; who know not the reward 
of righteousness, nor cleave to 
any thing that is good. 

4 Who administer not right- 
eous judgment to the widow and 
orphan ; who watch for wicked- 
ness, and not for the fear of the 
Lord : 

5 From whom gentleness and 
patience are far off; who love 
vanity, and follow after rewards ; 
having no compassion upon the 
poor ; nor take any pains for 
such as are heavy laden and op- 
pressed. 

6 Ready to evil speaking, not 
knowing him that made them ; 
murderers of children ; corrupt- 
ers of the creature of God ; that 
turn away from. the needy ; op- 
press the afflicted ; are the ad- 
vocates of the rich, but unjust 
judges of the poor; being alto- 
gether sinners. 

7 It is therefore fitting that, 
learning the just commands of 
the Lord, which we have before 
mentioned, we should walk in 
them. For he who does such 
things shall be glorified in the 
kingdom of God. 

8 But he that chooses the 
other part, shall be destroyed 
together with his works. For 
this cause there shall be both a 
resurrection, and a retribution. 

9 I beseech those that are in 
high estate among you (if so be 
you will take the counsel which 
with a good intention I offer to 
you), you have those with you 
towards whom you may do good ; 
do not forsake them. 



\VJio shall be 



BARNABAS. 



cast out. 



10 For the day is at hand in 
which all things shall be destroy- 
ed, together with the wicked 
one. The Lord is near, and his 
reward is with him. 

11 I beseech you therefore 
again, and again, be as good 
lawgivers to one another ; contin- 
ue faithful counsellors to each 
other : remove from among you 
all hypocrisy. 

12 And may God, the Lord 
of all the world, give you wis- 
dom, knowledge, counsel, and 
understanding of his judgments 
in patience. 

13 Be ye taught of God ; seek- 
ing what it is the Lord requires 
of you, and doing it; that ye 
may be saved in the day of judg- 
ment. 

14 And if there be among 
you any remembrance of what is 
good, think of me ; meditating 
upon these things, that both my 



desire and my watching for 
you may turn to a good ac- 
count. 

15 I beseech you ; I ask it 
as a favour of you, whilst you 
are in this beautiful l tabernacle 
of the body, be wanting in none 
of these things ; but without 
ceasing seek them, and fulfil 
every command : for these things 
are fitting and worthy to be 
done. 

16 Wherefore I have given 
the more diligence to write unto 
you, according to my ability, 
that you might rejoice. Fare- 
well, children of love and peace. 

17 The Lord of glory, and 
of all grace, be with your spirit. 
Amen. - 

ff The end of the Epistle of 
Barnabas, the Apostle, and 
fellow-traveller of St. Paul 
the Apostle. 

1 Vessel. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the EPHESIANS. 

IT Of the Epistles of Ignatius. - 



[The Epistles of Ignatius are translated by Archbishop Wake from the text of Vossius. He 
says that there were considerable differences in the editions ; the best for a long time extant 
containing fabrications, and the genuine being altered and corrupted. Archbishop Usher 
printed old' Latin translations of them at Oxford, in 1644. At Amsterdam, two years after- 
wards, Vossius printed six of them in their ancient and pure Greek; and the seventh, 
greatly amended from the ancient Latin version, was printed at Paris, by Ruinart, in 1689, 
in the Acts and Martyrdom of Ignatius, from a Greek uninterpolated copy. These are 
supposed to form the collection that Polycarp made of the Epistles of Ignatius, mentioned 
by Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius, Jerome, Athanasius, Theodoret, Gelasius, and other an- 
cients : but many learned men have imagined all of them to be apocryphal. This supposi- 
tion, the piety of Archbishop Wake, and his persuasion of their utility to the faith of the 
church, will not permit him to entertain ; hence he has taken great pains to render the 
present translation acceptable, by adding numerous readings and references to the Canoni- 
cal Books.] 

163 



Exhorts 



EPHESIANS. 



to unity. 



CHAP. I. 



1 Commends them for sending Onesimus and 
other memhers of the church to him. 8 Ex- 
horts them to unity, 13 by a due subjection 
to their bishop. 

IGNATIUS, who is also called 
Theophorus, to the church 
which is at Ephesus in Asia ; 
most deservedly happy ; being 
blessed l through the greatness 
and fulness 2 of God the Father, 
and predestinated before the 
world began, that it should be 
always unto an enduring and 
unchangeable glory ; being unit- 
ed and chosen 3 through his 
true passion, 3 according to the 
will of the Father, and Jesus 
Christ our God ; all 4 happiness, 
by Jesus Christ, and 5 his unde- 
filed grace. 

2 I have 5 heard of your 
name, much beloved in God; 
which ye have 6 very justly at- 
tained by a 7 habit of righteous- 
ness, according to the faith and 
love which is in Jesus Christ our 
Saviour. 

3 How that being 8 followers 
of God, and stirring up your- 
selves by the blood of Christ, ye 
have perfectly accomplished the 
work that was con-natural unto 
you. 

4 For hearing that I came 
bound from Syria, for the com- 
mon name and 9 hope, trusting 
through your prayers to fight 
with beasts at Rome ; that so by 
10 suffering I may become in- 
deed the disciple of him n who 



i In. 2 See Eph. iii. 19. 

3 In. 4 Health, joy. 

5 Received. Vid. Epist. Interpol. 

6 Vid. Coteler. in loc. Comp. Gal. iv. 8. 

7 Pearson. Vind. Ignat. Par. 2. Cap. 



11 



8 Imitators. 



» Viz. of Christ. 

164 



gave himself to God, an offering 
and sacrifice for us ( 12 ye hasten- 
ed to see me). I received, 
therefore, in the name of God, 
your whole multitude in Onesi- 
mus. 

5 Who by inexpressible love 
is ours, but according to the 
flesh is your bishop : whom I 
beseech you, by Jesus Christ, 
to love ; and that you would all 
strive to be like unto him. And 
blessed be God, who has granted 
unto you, who are so worthy of 
him, to 13 enjoy such an excellent 
bishop. 

6 For what concerns my fel- 
low-servant Burrhus, and your 
14 most blessed deacon in things 
pertaining to God ; I entreat you 
that he may tarry longer, both 
for yours and your bishop's 
honour. 

7 And Crocus, also, worthy 
both our God and you, whom I 
have received as the pattern of 
your love, has in all things re- 
freshed me, as the Father of our ' 
Lord Jesus Christ shall also re- 
fresh him, together with Onesi- 
mus, and Burrhus, and Euplus, 
and Fronto, 15 in whom I have, 
as to your charity, seen all of 
you. And may I always 16 have 
joy of you, if I shall be worthy 
of it. 

8 It is therefore fitting that 
you should 17 by all means glorify 
Jesus Christ who hath glorified 
you ; that 18 by a uniform obedi- 

10 Martyrdom. • » Eph. v. & 

12 See the old Lat.Ed. of Bishop Usher. 



13 Possess. 14 Blessed in all things. 
W By. is See Philem. 20 

1 7 In all manner of ways. 
is In one. 



Of unity 



EPHESIANS. 



and subjection. 



ence 1 ye may be perfectly join- 
ed together in the same mind, 
and in the same judgment ; and 
may all speak the same things 
concerning every thing : 

9 And that being subject to 
2 your bishop, and the presbytery, 
ye may be wholly and thorough- 
ly sanctified. 

10 These things I 3 prescribe 
to you, not as if I were some- 
body extraordinary : for though 
I am bound 4 for his name, I 
am not yet perfect in Christ 
Jesus. 5 But now I begin to 
learn, and I speak to you as fel- 
low-disciples together with me. 

11 For I ought to have been 
stirred up by you, in faith, in 
admonition, in patience, in long 
suffering : but forasmuch as char- 
ity suffers me not to be silent 

6 towards you, I have first taken 
upon me to exhort you, that ye 
would all run together accord- 
ing to the will of God. 

12 For even Jesus Christ, our 
inseparable life, is sent by the 

7 will of • the Father ; as the 
bishops, appointed unto the ut- 
most bounds of the earth, are by 
the will of Jesus Christ. 

13 8 Wherefore it will become 
you to run together according to 
the will of your bishop, as also 
ye do. 

14 For your 9 famous presby- 
tery, worthy of God, is fitted as 
exactly to the bishop, as the 
strings are to the harp. 

15 Therefore in your concord, 
and agreeing charity, Jesus 



i 1 Cor. i. 10. 2 The. 

3 Command you. 4 In. 

5 For. * Concerning-. 

7 Mind, counsel, opinion, &c. 



Christ is sung ; and every single 
person among you makes up the 
chorus : 

16 That so being all conso- 
nant in 10 love, and taking up the 
song of God, ye may in a per- 
fect unity, with one voice, sing 
to the Father by Jesus Christ ; 
to the end that he may both hear 
you, and perceive by your works, 
that ye are indeed the members 
of his Son. 

17 Wherefore it is profitable 
for you to live in an unblamable 
unity, that so ye may always 

11 have a fellowship with God. 

CHAP. II. 

1 The benefit of subjection. 4 The bishop 
not to be respected the less because he is 
not forward in exacting it : 8 warns them 
against heretics ; bidding them cleave to 
Jesus, whose divine and human nature is 
declared : commends them for their care to 
keep themselves from false teachers ; and 
shows them the way to God. 

FOR if I in this little time 
have had such a familiarity 
with your bishop, I mean not a 
carnal, but spiritual acquaint- 
ance with him, how much more 
must I think you happy who are 
so joined to him, as the church 
is to Jesus Christ, and Jesus 
Christ to the Father ; that so all 
things may agree in the same 
unity 1 

2 Let no man deceive him- 
self; if a man be not within the 
altar, he is deprived of the bread 
of God. For if the prayer of 

12 one or two be of such force, as 
we are told, how much more 
powerful shall that of the bishop 
and the whole church be 1 



8 Whence. 

9 Worthy to be named. 

10 Concord. » Partake of. 

12 Matt, xviii. 19. 

165 



Love to 



EPHESIANS. 



the bishop. 



3 He therefore that does not 
come together into the same 
place with it, is 1 proud, and has 
already 2 condemned himself. 
For it is written, 3 God resisteth 
the proud. Let us take heed 
therefore, that we do not set 
ourselves against the bishop, that 
we may be subject to God. 

4 4 The more any one sees 
his bishop silent, the more let 
him revere him. For whomso- 
ever the master of the house 
sends to be over his own house- 
hold, we ought in like manner to 
receive him, as we would do him 
that sent him. It is therefore 
evident that we ought to look 
upon the bishop even as we 
would do upon the Lord himself. 

5 And indeed Onesimus him- 
self does greatly commend your 
good order in God : that you all 
live according to the truth, and 
that no heresy dwells among 
you. For neither do ye hearken 
to any one more than to Jesus 
Christ speaking to you in truth. 

6 For some there are who 
5 carry about the name of Christ 
e in deceitfulness, but do things 
unworthy of God; whom ye 
must 7 flee, as ye would do so 
many wild beasts. For they are 
ravening dogs, who bite secret- 
ly : against whom ye must guard 
yourselves, as men hardly to be 
cured. 

7 There is one physician, 

1 Is already proud and has, &c. 

2 Judged, or separated. 

3 James iv. 6. 4 And the. 
6 Accustom themselves to carry. 

6 In wicked deceit. 7 Avoid. 

a Which can. 
9 Without doubt ye live. 
*° Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Pearson. 
Tind. Ign. par. 2. p. 207, 208. 

166 



both fleshly and spiritual ; made 
and not made ; God incarnate ; 
true life in death ; both of Mary 
and of God ; first passible ; then 
impassible ; even Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 

8 Wherefore, let no man de- 
ceive you ; as indeed neither are 
ye deceived, being wholly the 
servants of God. For inasmuch 
as there is no contention, nor 
strife among you, 8 to trouble 
you, 9 ye must needs live accord- 
ing to God's will. 10 My soul be 
for yours ; and I myself the ex- 
piatory offering for your church 
of Ephesus, so famous u through- 
out the world. 

" 9 They that are of the flesh 
cannot do the works of «the 
spirit ; neither they that are of 
the spirit the works of the flesh. 
12 As he that has faith cannot be 
an infidel ; nor he that is an infi- 
del have faith. But even those 
things which ye do according to 
the flesh are spiritual ; forasmuch 
as ye do all things in Jesus 
Christ. 

10 Nevertheless I have 13 heard 
of some who have 14 passed by 
you, having perverse doctrine ; 
whom ye did not suffer to sow 
15 among you ; but stopped your 
ears, that ye might not receive 
those things that were soAvn by 
them ; as 16 being the stones of 
the temple of the Father, pre- 
pared for 17 his building; and 

11 To ages. 

12 As neither is faith the things of infi- 
delity, nor infidelity the things of faith. 

13 Known. 

14 Passed thither. 

15 Upon. 

is Comp.Eph. ii. 20,21,22. lPet.ii.5. 
17 The building of God the Father. 



Exhorts to 



EPHESIANS. 



prayer. 



drawn up on high by the cross 
of Christ, 1 as by an engine. 

11 Using the Holy Ghost as 
the rope ; your faith being your 
support ; and your charity the 
way that leads unto God. 

12 Ye are, therefore, with all 
your companions in the same 
2 journey, full of God ; his spir- 
itual temples, 3 full of Christ, 

3 full of holiness ; adorned in all 
things with the commands of 
Christ. 

13 In whom also I rejoice that 
I have been thought worthy by 

4 this present epistle to converse, 
and joy together with you ; that 
with respect to the other life, ye 
love nothing but God only. 

CHAP. III. 

1 Exhorts them to prayer; to be unblamable. 
5 To be careful of salvation ; 11 frequent in 
public devotion, 13 and to live in charity. 

PRAY also without ceasing 
for other men ; for there is 
hope of repentance in them, that 
they may attain unto God; let 
them therefore at least be in- 
structed by your works, if they 
will be no other way. 

2 Be ye mild at their anger ; 
humble at their boasting: to 
their blasphemies, return your 
prayers : to their error, your 

5 firmness in the faith: when 
they are cruel, be ye gentle ; not 
endeavouring to imitate their 
ways. 



1 By the engine of the cross, &c. 

c Pearson, ib. part 2. cap. 12. 

3 Carriers. 4 These things I write. 

5 Be ye firm. 

6 Who has been more, &c. 

7 In Jesus Christ both bodily and spirit- 
ually. 1 Cor. vii. 34. 



3 (Let us be their brethren 
in all kindness and moderation, 
but let us be followers of the 
Lord : 6 for who was ever more 
unjustly used? more destitute ? 
more despised ?) 

4 That so no herb of the devil 
may be found in you ; but ye 
may remain in all holiness and 
sobriety 7 both of body and spir- 
it, in Christ Jesus. 

5 The last times 8 are come 
upon us : let us therefore be very 
reverent, and fear the long-suf- 
fering of God, that it be not to 
us unto condemnation. 

6 For let us either fear the 
wrath that is to come, or let us 
love the grace 9 that we at pres- 
ent enjoy ; that 10 by the one, or 
other, of these we may be found 
in Christ Jesus, unto true life. 

7 n Besides him, let nothing 
12 be worthy of you ; 13 for whom 
also I bear about these bonds, 
those spiritual jewels, in which I 
would to God that I might arise 
through your prayers. 

8 Of which I entreat you to 
make me always partaker, that 
I may be found in the lot of the 
Christians of Ephesus, who have 
always 14 agreed with the Apos- 
tles, 15 through the power of Jesus 
Christ. 

9 f[ I know both who I am, 
and to whom I write : I, a person 
condemned ; ye, such as have 
obtained mercy ; I, exposed to 

8 Remain ; or, for it remains. 

9 Is present. 

10 One of the two, only that we may 
be found, &c. 

11 Without him. 

12 Become you. 13 In. 
14 Assented to. 15 In. 

167 



Exhorts 



EPHESIANS. 



against sin. 



danger; ye, confirmed against 
danger. 

10 Ye are the passage of those 
that are killed for God ; the com- 
panions of Paul in the mysteries 
of the Gospel ; the holy, the 
1 martyr, the deservedly most 
happy Paul : at whose feet may 
I be found, when I shall have at- 
tained unto God ; who, 2 through- 
out all his epistle makes mention 
of you in Christ Jesus. 

11 Let it be your care there- 
fore to come more fully together, 
to the praise and glory of God. 
For when ye meet fully together 
in the same place, the powers of 
the devil are destroyed, and his 

3 mischief is dissolved by the 

4 unity of your faith. 

12 And indeed, nothing is 
better than peace, by which all 
war, both 5 spiritual and earthly, 
is abolished. 

13 Of all which nothing is 
hid from you, if ye have perfect 
faith and charity in Christ Jesus, 
which are the beginning and end 
of life. 

14 For the beginning is faith; 
the end charity. And these two, 
6 joined together, are of God : 
but all other things which con- 
cern a holy life are the conse- 
quences of these. 

15 No man, professing a true 
faith, sinneth ; neither does he 
who has charity, hate any. 

16 7 The tree is made mani- 



1 Witnessed of. 

2 Vid. Coteler. in loc. Pears. Vind. Ign. 
par. 2. cap. 10. 

3 Destruction. 

4 Concord. 

6 Of tilings in heaven, and of things on 
earth. 

168 



fest by its fruit : so they who 
profess themselves to be Chris- 
tians 8 are known by what they 
do. 

17 For Christianity is not the 
work of an outward profession ; 
but shows itself in the power of 
faith, if a man be found faithful 
unto the end. 

18 It is better for a man to 
hold his peace, and be, than to 
9 say, he is a Christian, and not 
to be. 

19 It is good to teach, 10 if 
what he says, he does likewise. 

20 There' is therefore one 
Master, who spake, and it was 
done ; and even those things 
which he did without speaking, 
are worthy of the Father. 

21 He that possesses the word 
of Jesus, is truly able to hear his 
very silence, that he may be per- 
fect ; n and both do according to 
what he speaks, and be known 
by those things of which he is 
silent. 

22 There is nothing hid from 
God, but even our secrets are 
nigh unto him. 

23 Let us therefore do ali 
things, as becomes those who 
have 12 God dwelling in them ; 
that we may be his temples, and 
he may be our God; as also 
he is, and will manifest him- 
self before our faces, by those 
things 13 for which we justly love 
him. 

6 Being in unity. 

7 Matt. xii. 33. 

8 Shall be seen or made manifest. 

9 Speaking not to be. 

10 If he who says does. 

11 That he may. 

'2 Him. 13 Out of. 



Lode of 



EPHESIANS. 



the gospel 



CHAP. IV. 



1 To have a care for the gospel. 9 The vir- 
ginity of Mary, the incarnation, and the 
death of Christ, %verc hid from the Devil. 
11 How the birth of Christ was revealed. 
16 Exhorts to unity. 

BE not deceived, my breth- 
ren ; those that - 1 corrupt 
families by adultery shall not 
inherit the kingdom of God. 

2 If therefore they who do 
this according to the flesh, 2 have 
suffered death ; how much more 
shall he die, who by his wicked 
doctrine corrupts the faith of 
God, for which Christ was cru- 
cified ? 

3 3 He that is thus defiled, 
shall depart into unquenchable 
fire, and so also shall he that 

4 hearkens to him. 

4 For this cause did the Lord 

5 suffer the ointment to be pour- 
ed on his head ; that he might 
breathe the breath of immortality 
unto his church. 

5 Be not ye therefore anointed 
with the evil savour of the doc- 
trine of the prince of this world : 
let him not take you captive from 
the life that is set before you. 

6 And why are we not all 
wise; seeing we have received 
the knowledge of God, which is 
Jesus Christ? Why 6 do we suf- 
fer ourselves foolishly to perish ; 
7 not considering the gift which 
the Lord has truly sent to us I 

7 8 Let my life be sacrificed 
for the doctrine of the cross ; 

i The corrupters of houses. 1 Cor. vi. 
9, 10. 

2 1 Cor. x. 8. 

3 Such a one being become defiled. 

4 Hears him. 

6 Receive ointment. Psalm xxiii. 5. 
cxxxiii. 2. 

e Are we foolishly destroyed ? 

7 Not knowing. I 

15 



which is indeed a scandal to the 
unbelievers, but to us is salvation 
and life eternal. 

8 9 Where is the wise man ? 
Where is the disputer ? Where 
is the boasting of those who are 
called wise ? 

9 For our God Jesus Christ 
was according to*the dispensa- 
tion of God 10 conceived in the 
womb of Mary, of the seed of 
David, U by the Holy Ghost : 
12 he was born, and baptized, 
that through his passion he might 
purify water, to the washing 
away of sin. 

10 Now the virginity of Mary, 
and he v/ho was born of her, was 
kept in secret from the prince of 
this world ; as was also the death 
of our Lord ; three of the ^myste- 
ries the most spoken of through- 
out the world, yet done in 14 se- 
cret by God. 

1 1 How then was our Saviour 
manifested to the world 1 A star 
shone in heaven beyond all the 
other stars, and its light was in- 
expressible, and its novelty struck 
terror into men's minds. All 
the rest of the stars, together 
with the sun and moon, were the 
chorus to this star : but that 
sent out its light exceedingly 
above them all. 

12 And men 15 began to be 
troubled to think whence this 

16 new star came, so unlike to 

17 all the others. 

8 See Dr. Smith's note in loc. 1 Cor. i. 
18, 23, 24. 

9 1 Cor. i. 20. 10 Carried. 
J» But by. 12 Who was. 

13 Mysteries of noise. 

14 Silence, or quietness. See Romi 
xvi. 25. 

15 There was a disorder. 

is Novelty. " Them. 

169 



Exhorts to 



EPHESIANS. 



unity. 



13 Hence all the power of 
magic became dissolved; and 
every bond of wickedness was 

1 destroyed ; men's ignorance 
was taken away ; and the old 
kingdom abolished ; God himself 

2 appearing in the form of a 
man, for the renewal of eternal 
life. 

14 From thence began what 
God had prepared : from thence- 
forth things were disturbed ; for- 
asmuch as he designed to abol- 
ish death. 

15 But if Jesus Christ shall 
give me grace through your 
prayers, and it be his will, I pur- 
pose in a second epistle, which I 
will suddenly write unto you, to 
manifest to you more fully the 
dispensation of which I have 
now begun to speak, unto the 
new man, which is Jesus Christ ; 
both in his faith, and charity ; 
in his suffering, and in his resur- 
rection. 

16 Especially if the Lord shall 

3 make known unto me, that ye 
all by name come together in 
common in one faith, and in one 



Jesus Christ; who was of the 
race of David, according to the 
flesh ; the Son of man, and Son 
of God; 4 obeying your bishop 
and the presbytery with an en- 
tire 5 affection ; breaking one 
and the same bread, which is 
the medicine of immortality ; our 
antidote that we should not die, 
but live for ever in Christ 
Jesus. 

17 My soul be for yours, and 
theirs whom ye have sent, to the 
glory of God ; even unto Smyrna, 
from whence also I write to you; 
giving thanks unto the Lord, 
and loving Polycarp even as I 
do you. Remember me, as Je- 
sus Christ does remember you. 

18 Pray for the church which 
is in Syria, from whence I am 
carried bound to Rome; being 
the least of all the faithful which 
are there, as I have been thought 
worthy to be found to the glory 
of God. 

19 Fare ye well in God the 
Father, and in Jesus Christ, our 
common hope. Amen. 

fl To the Ephesians. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the MAGNES1ANS. 



CHAP. I. 

4 Mentions the arrival of Damas their bishop, 
and others, 6 whom he exhorts them to rev- 
erence, notwithstanding he was a young 
man. 

IGNATIUS,who is also called 
Theophorus, to the blessed 
( 6 church) 7 by the grace of God 

1 Disappeared. 

2 Being made manifest. 3 Reveal. 
* That ye may obey; 

170 



the Father in Jesus Christ our 
Saviour: in whom I salute the 
church which is at Magnesia 
near the Maeander ; and wish it 
all joy in God the Father and in 
Jesus Christ. 

2 When I heard of your well- 



Mind. 

Vid. Interp. Lat. Epist. Interpol, 

In. 



Reverence 



MAGNESIANS. 



the bishop. 



ordered love and charity l in 
God, being full of joy, I desired 
much to speak unto you in the 
faith of Jesus Christ. 

3 For having 2 been thought 
worthy to obtain a most excellent 
name, 3 in the bonds which I 
carry about, I 4 salute the church- 
es ; wishing in them a union 
both of the body and spirit of 
Jesus Christ, our eternal life ; as 
also of faith and charity, to 
which nothing is preferred ; but 
especially of Jesus and the fa- 
ther ; in whom 5 if we undergo 
all the injuries of the prince of 
this present world, and escape, 
we shall enjoy God. 

4 Seeing then I have been 
judged worthy to see you, by 
Damas your 6 most excellent 
bishop ; and by your very worthy 
presbyters, Bassus and Apolloni- 
tis ; and by my fellow-servant 
Sotio, the deacon ; 

5 In whom 7 I rejoice, foras- 
much as he is subject unto his 
bishop as to the grace of God, 
and to the presbytery as to the 
law of Jesus Christ; 8 I deter- 
mined to write unto you. 

6 Wherefore it will become 
you also not 9 to use your bishop 
too familiarly upon the account 
of his youth ; but to yield all rev- 
erence to him according to the 
power of God the Father ; as also 
I perceive that your holy presby- 
ters do: not considering his 

1 According to. 

2 Been vouchsafed a name carrying a 
great deal of divinity in it 

3 See Bishop Pearson, Vind. Ign. par. 
ii. cap. 12. p. 146. 

4 Sing, commend. 

5 Undergoing, escaping. 

6 Worthy of God. 

7 Whom may I enjoy. 



10 age, which indeed to appear- 
ance is young ; but as becomes 
those who are prudent in God, 
submitting to him, or rather not 
to him, but to the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, the bishop of 
us all. 

7 It will therefore 1] behove 
you, 12 with all sincerity, to obey 
your bishop ; in honour of him 
13 whose pleasure it is that you 
should do so. 

8 Because he that does not do 
so, deceives not the bishop whom 
he sees, but H affronts him that 
is invisible. 15 For whatsoever 
of this kind is done, it reflects 
not upon 16 man, but upon God, 
who knows the secrets of our 
hearts. 

9 It is therefore fitting, that 
we should not only be called 
Christians, but be so. 

10 As some call indeed their 
governor, bishop ; but yet do all 
things without him. 

11 But I can never think 
that such as these have a good 
conscience, seeing they are not 
gathered together, 17 thoroughly 
according to God's command- 
ment. 

CHAP. II. 

1 That as all must die, 3 lie exhorts them to 
live orderly, and in unity. 

SEEING»then all things have 
an end, there are these two 
18 indifferently set before us, 

8 Apud Ved. Lat. Interpr. Glorificato 
Deum Patrem D. nostri Jesu Christi. 

9 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Pearson 
Praef. ad Vind. Ignat. 

10 Seeming youthful state. 

11 It is becoming. 

i 2 Without anv hypocrisy. 

1 3 Who wilieth it. 14 Deludes. 

15 Vid. Epist. Interp. ad. loc. 

ic Flesh. " Firmly. W Together. 

171 



Exhorts to 



MAGNESIANS. 



live orderly. 



death and life : and every one 
shall depart unto his proper place. 

2 For as there are two sorts 
of coins, the one of God, the 
other of the world ; and each of 
these has its proper 1 inscription 
engraven upon it; so also is it 
here. 

3 The unbelievers are of this 
w r orld ; but the faithful, through 
charity, have the character of 
God the Father by Jesus Christ ; 
by whom if we are not readily 
disposed to die after the likeness 
of his passion, his life is not in us. 

4 Forasmuch therefore as I 
have, in the persons before men- 
tioned, seen 2 all of you in faith 
and charity ; I exhort you that 
ye study to do all things in a 
3 divine concord ; 

5 Your bishop presiding in 
the place of God ; your presby- 
ters in the place of the council 
of the Apostles ; and your dea- 
cons most 4 dear to me, being 
intrusted with the ministry of 
Jesus Christ ; who was the Fa- 
ther before all ages, and appeared 
in the 5 end to us. 

6 Wherefore, taking the same 
6 holy course, see that ye all rev- 
erence one another : and let no 
one look upon his neighbour af- 
ter the flesh ; but do ye all mutu- 
ally love each other in Jesus 
Christ. • ' 

7 Let there be nothing that 
may be able to make a division 
among you ; but be ye united to 
your bishop, and those who pre- 



1 Character set. 

2 Your whole multitude. 

3 The concord of God. 

5 Was made manifest. 

6 Habit of God. 

172 



4 Sweet. 
Heb, ix. 2G. 



side over you, to be your pattern 
and direction in the way to im- 
mortality. 

8 7 As therefore the Lord did 
nothing without the Father, 
being united to him ; neither by 
himself nor yet by his apostles ; 
so neither do ye do any thing 
without your bishop and presby- 
ters: 

9 Neither endeavour to lei 
any thing appear rational to 
yourselves apart; 

10 But being come together 
into the same place, 8 have one 
common prayer ; one supplica- 
tion ; one mind ; one hope ; in 
charity, and in joy undefiled. 

11 There is one Lord Jesus 
Christ, than whom nothing is 
better. Wherefore 9 come ye all 
together as unto one temple of 
God ; as to one 10 altar, as to one 
Jesus Christ ; who proceeded 
from one Father, and exists in 
one, and is returned to one. 

CHAP. III. 

1 He cautions them against falsa opinions. 
3 Especially those of H Ebion and the Ju- 
daizing Christians. 

BE not deceived with 12 strange 
doctrines ; nor with old fa- 
bles which are unprofitable. For 
if we still continue to live ac- 
cording to the Jewish law, we 
do confess ourselves not .to have 
received grace. For even the 
most 13 holy prophets lived ac- 
cording to Christ Jesus. 

2 And for this cause were 
they persecuted, being inspired 



7 John x.30. xiv. 11, 12. xvii. 21, 22. 
s Eph. iv. 3, 4, 5, 6. 9 Run. 

i° John xvi. 28. 

11 Pearson, Vind. Ign. par. 2. cap. 4. 

12 Heterodox. 1 3 Most divine.. 



Cautions against 



MAGNESIANS. 



false opinions. 



by his grace, 1 to convince the 
unbelievers and disobedient that 
there is one God who has mani- 
fested himself by Jesus Christ 
his Son; who is his 2 eternal 
word, not coming forth from si- 
lence, who in all things pleased 
him that sent him. 

3 Wherefore if they who were 
brought up in these ancient 
3 laws came nevertheless to the 
newness of hope ; no longer ob- 
serving sabbaths, but 4 keeping 
the Lord's day, in which also 
our life is sprung up by him, and 
through his death, 5 whom yet 
some deny : 

4 (By which mystery we have 
6 been brought to believe, and 
therefore wait that we may be 
found the disciples of Jesus 
Christ, our only master :) 

5 How shall we be able to 
live 7 different from him ; whose 
disciples the very prophets them- 
selves being, did by the spirit 
expect him as their master. 

6 8 And therefore he whom 
they justly waited for, being 
come, raised them up from the 
dead. 

7 Let us not then be insensi- 
ble of his goodness; for should 
he 9 have dealt with us accord- 
ing to our works, we had not 
now had a being. 

8 Wherefore being become 
his disciples, let us learn to live 
according to the rules of Chris- 
tianity: for whosoever is called 



» Fully to satisfy. 2 John i. I. 

8 Things. 

4 Or 7 living- according 1 to. 

5 Or, which. 6 Received. 

7 Without. 8 Matt, xxvii. 52. 

9 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. should he 
have imitated our works, Gr. 

15* 



by any other name 10 besides this, 
he is not of God. 

9 Lay aside therefore the old, 
and sour, and evil leaven ; and 
be ye changed into the new 
leaven, which is Jesus Christ. 

10 Be ye salted in him, lest 
any one among you should be 
corrupted; for by your Saviour 
ye shall be judged. u 

11 It is absurd to name Jesus 
Christ, and to Judaize. For the 
Christian religion did not 12 em- 
brace the Jewish, but the Jewish 
the Christian; that so every 
tongue that believed might be 
gathered together unto God. 

12 These things, my beloved, 
I write unto you, not that I 
know of any among you that 
13 lie under this error; but as 
14 one of the least among you, 1 
am desirous to forewarn you that 
ye fall not into the 15 snares of 
vain doctrine ; 

13 But that ye be fully in- 
structed in the birth, and suffer- 
ing, and resurrection of Jesus 
Christ, our hope ; which was ac- 
complished in the time of the 
government of Pontius Pilate, 
and that most truly and 16 cer- 
tainly ; and from which God for- 
bid that any among you should 
be turned aside. 

CHAP. IV. 

1 Commends their faith and piety ; 7 exhorts 
them to persevere : 10 desires their prayers 
for himself and the church at Antioch. 



10 More than. 

11 Convicted, overthrown. 

12 Believe. 

13 Have yourselves so. 

14 Lesser than you, 
" Hooks. 

w Firmly. 

173 



Commends 



MAGNESIANS. 



their faith. 



MAY I therefore have joy 
of you in all things, if I 
shall be worthy of it. For 
though I am bound, yet am I 
not worthy to be compared to 
one of you that are at liberty. 

2 I know that ye are not puff- 
ed up ; for ye have Jesus Christ 
1 in your hearts. 

3 And especially when I com- 
mend you, I know that ye are 
ashamed, as it is written, 2 The 
just man condemneth himself. 

4 Study therefore to be con- 
firmed in the doctrine of our 
Lord, and of his Apostles ; that 
so whatsoever ye do, ye may 
prosper both in body and spirit; 
in faith and charity ; in the Son, 
and in the Father, and in the 
Holy Spirit; in the beginning, 
and in the end. 

5 Together with your most 
worthy bishop, and the Swell- 
wrought spiritual crown of your 
presbytery ; and your deacons 
which are according to God. 

6 Be subject to your bishop, 
and to one another, as Jesus 
Christ to the Father according 
to the flesh; and the Apostles 
both to Christ, and to the Father, 



1 In yourselves. 

2 Prov. xviii. 17. Sept. 

3 Worthily complicated. 

4 There may be a union both fleshly 
and spiritual. 

5 Eoh.iii.19. 



174 



and to the Holy Ghost ; that so 
ye may 4 be united both in body 
and spirit. 

7 5 Knowing you to be full of 
God, I have the more briefly ex- 
horted you. 

8 Be mindful of me in your 
prayers, that I may 6 attain unto 
God ; and of the church that is 
in Syria, from 7 which I am not 
worthy to be called. 

9 For I stand in need of your 
joint prayers in God, and of your 
charity, that the church which is 
in Syria may be thought worthy 
to be 8 nourished by your church. 

10 The Ephesians 9 from 
Smyrna salute you, from which 
place I write unto you (being 
present here to the glory of God, 
in like manner as you are), who 
have in all things refreshed me, 
together with Polycarp, the bish- 
op of the Smyrnaeans. 

11 The rest of the churches, 
in the honour of Jesus Christ, 
salute you. 

12 10 Farewell, and be ye 
strengthened in the concord of 
God ; ]1 enjoying his inseparable 
spirit, which is Jesus Christ. 

ft To the Magncsians. 



6 Find, enjoy. 7 Whence. 

s Bedewed. Vid. Epist. Interpol, in 
loc. 

9 Which came to Smyrna upon my 
account. 

10 Eppwffflc. n Possessing. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the TRALLIANS. 



1 Acknowledges the coming of their bishop. 
5 Commends them for their subjection to 
their bishop, priests, and deacons ; and ex- 
horts them to continue in it: 15 is afraid 
even of his over-great desire to suffer, lest it 
should be prejudicial to him. 

IGNATIUS, who is also called 
Theophorus, to the holy 
church, which is at Tralles in 
Asia; beloved of God the Father 
of Jesus Christ ; elect and worthy 
of God ; having peace x through 
the flesh and blood, and passion 
of Jesus Christ our hope ; in the 
resurrection which is 2 by him : 
which also I salute in its fulness, 
continuing in the apostolical 
character ; wishing all joy and 
happiness unto it. 

2 I have 3 heard of your 
blameless and 4 constant dispo- 
sition through patience, which 
5 not only appears in your out- 
ward conversation, but is natu- 
rally rooted and grounded in you. 

3 In like manner as Polybius 
your bishop has declared unto 
me ; who came to me to Smyrna, 
by the will of God and Jesus 
Christ ; and so rejoiced together 
with me 6 in my bonds for Jesus 
Christ, that in effect I saw your 
whole 7 church in him. 

4 Having therefore received 
the 8 testimony of your good will 
towards me 9 for God's sake, by 
him, 10 I seemed to find you, as 



» In. 2 Unto. 

s Known. 4 Inseparable mind. 

5 Winch you have not according- to 
use, but according to possession. 

6 Who am bound. 7 Multitude. 
-8 Your benevolence. 

9 According to God. 

10 Vid. Vossium in loc. 



also I knew that ye were the 
11 followers of God. 

5 For 12 whereas ye are sub- 
ject to your bishop as to Jesus 
Christ, ye appear to me to live 
not after the manner of men, 
but according to Jesus Christ; 
who died for us, that so, believ- 
ing in his death, ye might 13 es- 
cape death. 

6 It is therefore necessary, 
that as ye do, so without your 
bishop, you should do nothing : 
also be ye subject to your presby- 
ters, as to the Apostles of Jesus 
Christ our hope ; in whom if we 
walk, we shall be found in him. 

7 H The deacons also, as being 
the ministers of the mysteries of 
Jesus Christ, must by all means 
please all. For they are not the 
15 ministers of meat and drink, 
but of the church of God. 
Wherefore they must avoid all 
offences, as they would do fire. 

8 In like manner let all rever- 
ence the deacons ls as Jesus 
Christ; and the bishop as the 
Father ; and the presbyters as 
the Sanhedrim of God, and col- 
lege of the Apostles. 

9 Without these there is no 
17 church. Concerning all which 
I am persuaded that ye 18 think 
after the very same manner : for 

11 Imitators. 12 When. 

13 Flee from. 

14 Vid. Vossium in loc. 15 Deacons. 

16 As also the bishop like Jesus Christ 
the Son of the Father. Vossius in loc. 
vid. aliter Cotelerium. 

17 A church is not called, 
is So do. • 

175 



Desires 



TRALLIANS. 



to suffer. 



1 have received, and even now 
have with me the pattern of your 
love, in your bishop. 

10 Whose very x look is in- 
structive; and whose mildness, 

2 powerful : 3 whom I am per- 
suaded, the very atheists them- 
selves cannot but reverence. 

11 But because I have a love 
towards you, I will not write any 
more sharply unto you about this 
matter, though I very well might; 
but now I have done so, lest, 
being a condemned man, I 
should seem to prescribe to you 
as an Apostle. 

12 I have 4 great knowledge 
in God; but I 5 refrain myself, 
lest I should perish in my boast- 
ing. 

13 For now I ought the more 
to fear; and not hearken to 
those that would puff me up. 

14 For they that speak to me, 
in my praise, chasten me. 

15 For I indeed 6 desire to 
suffer, but I cannot tell whether 
I am worthy so to do. 

16 7 And this desire, though 
to others it does not. appear, yet 
to myself it is for that very reason 
the more violent. I have, there- 
fore, need of 8 moderation; by 
which the prince of this world is 
destroyed. 

17 Am I not able to write to 
you of heavenly things ? But I 
fear lest I should harm you, who 
are yet but babes in Christ (ex- 
cuse me this care) ; and lest per- 
chance, being not able to receive 

1 Habit of body is great instruction. 

2 Power. 

3 Vid. Vossium et Usserium in loc. 

4 I understand many things. 

5 Measure. 6 Love. 
7 Vid. Annot. Vossii in loc. 

176 



them, ye should be choked with 
them. 

18 For even I myself, al- 
though I am in bonds, yet am 
not therefore able to understand 
heavenly things : 

19 As the 9 places of the an- 
gels, and the several companies 
of them, under their respective 
princes ; things visible and invis- 
ible; but in these I am yet a 
learner. 

20 For many things are want- 
ing to us, that we come not 
short of God. 

CHAP. II. 

1 Warns them against heretics, 4 exivorts 
them to humility and unity, 10 briefly sets 
before them the true doctrine concerning 
Christ. 

I EXHORT you therefore, or 
rather not I, but the love of 
Jesus Christ, that ye use none 
but Christian nourishment ; ab- 
staining from pasture which is 
of another kind, I mean heresy. 

2 10 For they that are heretics, 
confound together the doctrine 
of Jesus Christ with their own 
poison ; n whilst they seem wor- 
thy of belief : 

3 As men give a deadly potion 
mixed with sweet wine, which 
he who is ignorant of does with 
the treacherous pleasure sweetly 
drink in his own death. 

4 Wherefore guard yourselves 
against such persons. And that 
you will do if you are not puffed 
up; but continue inseparable 
from Jesus Christ our God, and 

8 Mildness. 9 Orders. 

10 Vid. de hoc loco conjecturas Vossii, 
Cotelerii, etJunii apud Usserium. Comp. 
Epist. Interpol, in loc. et Voss. Annot. in 
Epist. ad Phil. p. 281. 

11 Being believed for their dignity. 



Warns them 



TRALLIANS. 



against heresy. 



from your bishop, and from the 
commands of the Apostles. 

5 l He that is within the altar 
is pure : but he that is without, 
that is, that does any thing with- 
out the bishop, and presbyters, 
and deacons, is not pure in his 
conscience. 

6 Not that I know there is 
any thing of this nature among 
you; but I fore-arm you, as 
being greatly beloved by me, 
foreseeing the snares of the devil. 

7 Wherefore,putting on meek- 
ness, renew yourselves in faith, 
that is, the flesh of the Lord ; 
and in charity, that is, the blood 
of Jesus Christ. 



8 Let no man have 2 



any 



grudge against his neighbour 
Give no occasion to the Gen- 
tiles ; lest by means of a few 
foolish men, the whole congre- 
gation of God be evil spoken of. 

9 For wo to that man 3 through 
whose vanity my name is blas- 
phemed by any. 

10 Stop your ears therefore, 
as often as any one shall speak 
4 contrary to Jesus Christ ; who 
was of the race of David, of the 
Virgin Mary. 

11 Who was truly born, and 
did eat and drink ; was truly 
persecuted under Pontius Pilate; 
was truly crucified and dead; 
both those in heaven and on 
earth, and under the earth, 5 be- 
ing spectators of it. 

12 Who was also truly raised 
from the dead 6 by his Father, 



1 Vid. Usserii Obs. Marg. Comp. Cote- 
ler. ib. 

2 Any thing-. 

3 Through whom in vanity, Isa. Hi. 5. 

4 Without. 



after the same manner as 7 he 
will also raise up us who believe 
in him, by Christ Jesus; without 
whom we have no true life. 

13 But if, as some who are 
atheists, that is to say, infidels, 
pretend, that he only seemed to 
suffer (they themselves only 
seeming to exist) ; why then am 
I bound 1 — Why do I desire to 
fight with beasts 1 — Therefore 
do I die in vain : therefore I will 
not speak falsely against the 
Lord. 

14 Flee therefore these evil 
8 sprouts, which bring forth dead- 
ly fruit ; of which if any one taste, 
he shall presently die. 

15 For these are not the plants 
of the Father ; seeing if they 
were, they would appear to be 
the branches of the cross, and 
their fruit would be incorrupti- 
ble; by which he invites you 
through his passion, who are 
members of him. 

16 For the head cannot be 
without its members ; God hav- 
ing promised a union, that is, 
himself. 

CHAP. III. 

He again exhorts to unity ; and desires their 
prayers for himself and for his church at 
Antioch. 

I SALUTE you from Smryna, 
9 together with the churches 
of God that are present with 
me; who have refreshed me in 
all things, both in the flesh, and 
in the spirit. 



5 Seeing, or looking on. 

6 His Father raising him. 

7 The Father. 

8 Plants. 

9 i. e. The delegates of the church. 

177 



Hopes to 



ROMANS. 



suffer 



2 My bonds, which I carry 
about me for the sake of Christ 
(beseeching him that I may at- 
tain unto God), exhort you, that 
you continue in 1 concord among 
yourselves, and in prayer with 
one another. 

3 For it becomes every one 
of you, especially the presbyters, 
to refresh the bishop, to the 
honour of the Father, of Jesus 
Christ, and of the Apostles. 

4 I beseech you, that you 
hearken to me in love ; that I 
may not, 2 by those things which 
I write, rise up in witness against 
you. 

5 Pray also for me; who 
through the mercy of God stand 
in need of your prayers, that I 
may be worthy of the portion 
which I am about to obtain, that 
I be not found a reprobate. 



6 The love of those who are 
at Smyrna and Ephesus salute 
you. Remember in your prayers 
the Church of Syria, from 
which I am not worthy to be 
called, being one of the least 
of 3 it. 

7 Fare ye well in Jesus 
Christ ; being subject to your 
bishop as to the command of 
God ; and so likewise to the 
presbytery. 

8 Love every one his brother 
with an 4 unfeigned heart. 5 My 
soul be your expiation, not only 
now, but when I shall have at- 
tained unto God : for I am yet 
under danger. 

9 But the Father is faithful in 
Jesus Christ, to fulfil both mine 
and your petition ; in whom may 
ye be found unblamable. 

ft To the Trallicms. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the ROMANS. 



CHAP. I. 

I He testifies his desire to see, and his hopes 
of suffering for, Christ, 5 which he earnestly 
entreats them not to prevent, 10 but to pray 
for him, that God would strengthen him to 
the combat. 

IGNATIUS, 6 who is also 
called Theophorus, to the 
church which has obtained mer- 



1 The concord of you. 

2 Be a testimony among- you, writing. 

3 Them. 

4 Undivided. 

5 Vid. Annot. Vossii et Coteler. in loc. 

6 Vid. Pearson, Vind. Ignat. par. 2. 
ch. xvi. p. 214. 

7 In. 

8 Omitted. Gr. 9 In. 

178 



cy 7 from the majesty of the 
Most High Father, and his only 
8 begotten Son Jesus Christ; be- 
loved, and illuminated 9 through 
the will of him who willeth all 
thinos which are according to the 
love of Jesus Christ our 10 God ; 
which also presides in the u place 

10 God ; which also presides in the 
place of the region of the Romans, 
worthy of God ; most decent, most bless- 
ed, most praised, most worthy to obtain 
what it desires ; most pure, most charita- 
ble, called by the name of Christ and the 
Father. Gr. 

11 Type of the chorus, i. e. the church 
of the Romans. See Voss. Annot. in loc. 



for Christ's 



ROMANS. 



sake. 



of the region of the Romans ; I 
and which x I salute in the name 
of Jesus Christ, ( 2 as being) 
united both in flesh and spirit to 
all his commands, and 3 filled 
with the grace of God ; ( 4 all 
joy) in Jesus Christ our God. 

2 5 Forasmuch as I have at last 
6 obtained through my prayers to 
God, to see your 7 faces, 8 which 
I much desire to do ; being 
bound in Christ Jesus, I hope 
ere long to salute you, if it shall 
be the will 9 of God to grant 
me to attain unto the end I long 
for. 

3 For the beginning is well 
disposed, if I shall but have grace 
without hinderance, to receive 
10 what is appointed for me. 

4 But I fear your love, lest it 
do me an injury. For it is easy 
for you to do what you please ; 
but it n will be hard for me to 
attain unto God, if you spare me. 

5 But I 12 would not that ye 
should please men, but God ; 
13 whom also ye do please. For 
neither shall I ever hereafter 
have such an opportunity 14 of 
going unto God ; nor will you, 
if ye shall now be silent, ever be 
entitled to a better work. For 
if you shall be silent 15 in my be- 
half, I shall be made partaker of 
God. 

» Also. 

2 (The Son of the Father ; to those 
who are — Gr.) 

3 Wholly filled. Gr. 

4 (Being absolutely separated from 
any other colour; much pure, or immacu- 
late joy.) 5 Gr. 

6 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 

7 Worthy of God. 

8 And have received even more than I 
asked, being bound. 9 Gr. 

jo My lot. " Is. 

12 I will not please you as men. Gr. 



6 But if you shall love my 
16 body, I shall have my course 
again to run. Wherefore ye 
cannot do me a greater kindness 
than to suffer me to be sacrificed 
unto God, now that the altar is 
already prepared ; 

7 That 17 when ye shall be 
gathered together in love, ye 
may 18 give thanks to the Father 
through Christ Jesus ; that he has 
vouchsafed 19 to bring a bishop 
of Syria unto you, being called 
from the east unto the west. 

8 For it is good for me to set 
from the world unto God ; that 1 
may rise again unto him. 

9 Ye have never envied any 
one ; ye have taught others. I 
would therefore that ye 20 should 
now do those things yourselves, 
which in your instructions you 
have 21 prescribed to others. 

10 Only pray for me, that 
God would give me both inward 
and outward strength, that I may 
not only say, but will ; nor be 
only called a Christian, but be 
found one. 

11 For if I shall be found a 
Christian, I may then deservedly 
be called one ; and be thought 
faithful, when I shall no longer 
appear to the world. 

12 Nothing is 22 good that is 
seen. 

13 As. ^ Attaining unto. 

15 From me. 16 Flesh. 

17 Being become a chorus. 

18 Sing. 

19 That a bishop of Syria should be 
found. 

20 That those things also should be firm. 

21 Commanded. Vid. Annot. Usserii in 
loc N. 26,27. 

22 Nothing that is seen is eternal : for 
the things which are seen are temporal, 
but the things that are not seen are eter- 
nal. Gr. 

179 



Earnestly 



ROMANS. 



desires 



13 For even our God, Jesus 
Christ, now that he is in the 
Father, does so much the more 
appear. 

14 A Christian is not a work 
of l opinion ; but of greatness of 
mind, ( 2 especially when he is 
hated by the world.) 

CHAP. II. 

Expresses his great desire and determination 
to suffer martyrdom. 

I WRITE to the churches, 
and 3 signify to them all, that 
I am willing to die for God, un- 
less you 4 hinder me. 

2 I beseech you that you 
5 shown©t an unseasonable good 
will towards me. Suffer me to 
be food to the wild beasts ; by 
whom I shall attain unto God. 

3 For I am the wheat of God ; 
and I shall be ground by the 
teeth of the wild beasts, that I 
may be found the pure bread 6 of 
Christ. 

4 Rather 7 encourage the 
beasts, that they may become 
my sepulchre ; and may leave 
nothing of my body ; that being 
dead, I may not be troublesome 
to any. 

5 Then shall I be truly the 
disciple of Jesus Christ, when 
the world shall not see so much 
as my body. Pray therefore unto 
Christ for me, that by these in- 
struments I may be made the 
sacrifice 8 of God.' 

1 Persuasion or silence. Gr. 

2 (Desunt, Gr.) 

» Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 31. 

4 Forbid me. 6 Be not. 

6 Vid. Lat. Vet. Interpr. et Arinot. 
Usser. N. 32. 

' Flatter. 8 Desunt, Gr. 

9 Free in him. Gr. 
180 



6 I do not, as Peter and 
Paul, command you. They 
were Apostles, I a condemned 
man ; they were free, but I am, 
even to this day, a servant : 

7 But if I shall suffer, I shall 
then become the freeman of 
Jesus Christ, and shall rise 
9 free. And now, being in bonds, 
I learn not to desire 10 any thing. 

8 From Syria even unto Rome, 
I fight with beasts both by sea 
and land ; both night and day ; 
being bound to ten leopards, that 
is to say, to such a band of sol- 
diers ; who, though treated with 
all manner of kindness, are the 
worse for it. 

9 But I am the more instruct- 
ed by their injuries ; u yet am I 
not therefore justified. 

10 May I enjoy the wild beasts 
that are prepared for me ; which 
also I wish may 12 exercise all 
their fierceness upon me. 

11 And whom for that end I 
will 13 encourage, that they may 
be sure to devour me, and not 
serve me as they have done some, 
whom out of fear they have not 
touched. But, and if they will 
not do it willingly, I will provoke 
them to it. 

12 Pardon me in this matter; 
I know what is profitable for me. 
Now I begin to 14 be a disciple : 
nor 15 shall any thing move me, 
whether visible or invisible, that 
I may attain to Christ Jesus. 



10 Any worldly or vain things. Gr. 

11 1 Cor. iv. 4. 

12 Vid. Voss. in loc. Usser. Annot. N. 
48. May he ready for me. Gr. 

13 Usser. Annot. N. 48. 

14 Luke xiv. 27. 

15 Vid. Coteler. in loc. Rom. viii. 
38, 39. 



to suffer 



ROMANS. 



martyrdom. 



13 Let fire, and the cross ; let 
the 1 companies of wild beasts ; 
2 let breakings of bone, and tear- 
ing of members ; let the 3 shat- 
tering in pieces of the whole 
body, and all 4 the wicked tor- 
ments of the devil come upon 
me ; only let 5 me enjoy Jesus 
Christ. 

14 All the 6 ends of the world, 
and the kingdoms 7 of it, will 
profit me nothing : I would rath- 
er die 8 for Jesus Christ, than 
rule to the utmost ends of the 
earth. 9 Him I seek who died 
for us : him I desire, that rose 
again for us. This is the 10 gain 
that is laid up for me. 

15 Pardon me, my brethren, 
ye shall not hinder me from liv- 
ing : ( n nor seeing I desire to go 
to God, may you separate me 
from him, for the sake of this 
world ; nor seduce me by any of 
the 12 desires of it.) Suffer me 
to 13 enter into pure light ; where, 
being come, I shall be indeed 
the 14 servant of 15 God. 

16 Permit me to imitate the 
passion of my God. If any one 
has him within himself, let him 
consider what I desire ; and let. 
him have compassion on me, as 
knowing 16 how I am straitened. 

1 Force or rage. 

2 Let tearings, and rendings. Gr. 

3 Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 56. • 

4 Ibid, N. 57. 

5 That I may enjoy. 

6 Gr. Pleasures. 

7 Of this age. » Gr. Unto. 

9 For what is a man profited if he shall 
gain the whole world and lose his own 
soul? Gr. Add. 

i° Usury. Gr.Vid.Voss. Correct, p. 301. 

11 Nor desire that I should die, who 
seek to go to God, rejoice not in the 
world. Gr. 

12 By matter. 

13 Take, lay hold on. ^ Man. 

16 



CHAP. III. 



Further expresses his desire to suffer. 

THE prince of this world 
would fain carry me away, 
and corrupt my 17 resolution to- 
wards my God. Let none of you 
18 therefore help 19 him : rather 
do ye join with me, that is, with 
God. 

2 Do not speak with Jesus 
Christ, and yet covet the world. 
Let not any envy dwell with you ; 
no, not though I myself, when I 
shall be come unto you, should 
exhort you to it, yet do not ye 
hearken to me; but rather be- 
lieve what I now write to you. 

3 For though I am alive at 
the writing this, yet my desire 
is to die. My love is crucified ; 
( 20 and the 21 fire that is within 
me does not desire any water : 
but being alive, and 22 springing 
within me, says,) Come to the 
Father. 

4 I take no pleasure in the 
food of corruption, nor in the 
pleasures of this life. 

5 I desire the bread of God, 
23 which is the flesh of Jesus 
Christ, ( 24 of the seed of David ; 
and the drink that I long for) is 
his blood, which is incorruptible 
love. 25 

15 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. 

16 What things constrain me. 
" Mind, will. 

*8 Who are present. 

19 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 

20 (And there is not any fire within me 
that loves matter, but living and speaking 
water saying within me. Gr.) 

21 Cotelenus aliter explicat. Annot. in 
loc. Usser. N. 79. 

22 Voss. in loc. Contr. Coteler. q. v. 

23 The heavenly bread which is. Gr. 
2 * (The Son of God made in these last 

times of the seed of David and Abraham, 
and the drink of God that I long for. Gr.) 
25 Gr. Adds, and perpetual life. 

181 



Further desires 



ROMANS. 



to suffer. 



6 I have no desire to live any 
longer after the manner of men; 
1 neither shall I if you consent. 
Be ye therefore willing, that ye 
yourselves also may be 2 pleasing 
to God. I 3 exhort you 4 in a 
few words: I pray you believe me. 

7 Jesus Christ will show you 
that I speak truly. My mouth 
is without deceit, and the Father 
hath truly spoken 5 by it. Pray 
therefore for me, that I may ac- 
complish what I desire. 

8 I have not written to you 
after the flesh, but according to 
the will of God. If I shall suf- 
fer, 6 ye have loved me : but if 
I shall be rejected, 7 ye have 
hated me. 

9 Remember in your prayers 
the church of Syria, which now 
enjoys God for its shepherd in- 
stead of me : 8 let Jesus Christ 
only 9 oversee it, and your 
charity. 

10 But I am even ashamed to 
be reckoned as one of them : 
for neither am I worthy, being 
the least among them, and as 
one 10 born out of due season. 
But through mercy I have ob- 
tained to be somebody, if I shall 
get unto God. 



1 And that shall be. 

3 
4 

6 



Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. 

By a short letter. 

Ye have willed it. 

Viz. as unworthy to suffer. 

182 



3 Willed. 
5 In. 



11 My spirit salutes you ; and 
the charity of the churches that 
have received me in the name 
of Jesus Christ ; not as a pas- 
senger. For even they that 
were not near to me in the way, 
have gone before me to the next 
city to meet me. 

12 These things I write to 
you from Smyrna, by the most 
worthy of the church of Ephe- 
sus. 

13 There is now with me, 
together with many others, Cro- 
cus, most beloved of me. As 
for those which are n come from 
Syria, and are gone before me 
to Rome, to the glory of God, I 
suppose you are not ignorant of 
them. 

14 Ye shall therefore signi- 
fy to them that I draw near, 
for they are all worthy both 
of God and of you ; whom it 
is fit that you refresh in all 
things. 

15 This have I written to 
you, the day before the ninth of 
the calends of September. 12 Be 
strong unto the end, in the pa- 
tience of Jesus Christ. 13 

ft To the Romans. 



8 Vid. Vet. Interpr. Lat. 

9 Shall oversee it. 10 1 Cor. xv. 8 
11 Vid. Vet. Interpr. Lat. 

i 2 That is, the 23d of August. Gr. 
13 Amen. Gr. 



The EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS to the PHILADEL- 
PHIANS. 



CHAP. I. 

Commends their bishop whom they had sent 
unto him, 5 warns them against divisions 
and schism. 

IGNATIUS, who is also 
called Theophorus, to the 
church of God the Father, and 
our Lord Jesus Christ, which is 
at Philadelphia in Asia ; which 
has obtained mercy, being fixed 
in the concord of God, and re- 
joicing * evermore in the passion 
of our Lord, and being fulfilled 
in all mercy through his resur- 
rection ; which also I salute in 
the blood of Jesus Christ, 
2 which is our eternal and unde- 
fined joy ; especially if they are 
at unity with the bishop, and 
presbyters who are with him, 
and the deacons appointed 3 ac- 
cording to the 4 mind of Jesus 
Christ ; whom he has settled ac- 
cording to his own will in all 
firmness by his Holy Spirit. 

2 Which bishop I know ob- 
tained 5 that great ministry 
among you not of himself, 
neither by men, nor out of vain 
glory, but 6 by the love of God 
the Father, and our Lord Jesus 
Christ ; 

3 Whose moderation 7 I ad- 
mire ; who by his silence is able 
to do more than 8 others with all 
their vain talk. For he is fitted 

1 Inseparably. 

2 Vid. Vet. Interp. Lat. 

3 In. 

•* Will, order. 

3 Ministry belonging to the public. 

6 In. 



to the commands, as the harp to 
its strings. 

4 Wherefore my soul esteems 
his mind towards God most 
happy, knowing it to be fruitful 
in all virtue, and perfect ; full 
of constancy, free from passion, 

9 and according to all the mod- 
eration of the living God. 

5 Wherefore, as becomes the 
children both of the light and 
of truth, flee divisions and false 
doctrines : but where your shep- 
herd is, there do ye, as sheep, 
follow after. 

6 For there are many wolves, 

10 who seem worthy of belief, that 
with a n false pleasure lead cap- 
tive those that run in the course 
of God : but in your concord 
they shall find no place. 

7 Abstain therefore from 
those evil herbs which Jesus 
Christ does not dress ; because 
such are not the plantation of 
the Father. Not that I have 
found any division among you, 
but rather all manner of 12 pu- 
rity. 

8 For as many as are of God, 
and of Jesus Christ, are also 
with their bishop. And as 
many as shall with repentance 
return into the unity of the 
church, even these shall also be 
the servants of God, that they 

7 Has struck me with wonder. 

8 Those that speak vain things. 

9 In. 

10 Vid. Vossii Annot. in loc. 

» Evil. 

12 Cleanness made by sifting. 

183 



Exhorts to 



PHILADELPHIANS. 



union. 



may live according to Jesus 
Christ. 

9 Be not deceived, brethren : 
if any one follows him that 
makes a schism in the church, he 
shall not inherit the kingdom of 
God. If any one walks after 
any other opinion, he agrees not 
with the passion of Christ. 

10 Wherefore let it be your 
endeavour to partake all of the 
same holy eucharist. 

11 For there is but one flesh 
of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and 
one cup in the unity of his 
blood ; one altar ; 

12 As also there is one 
bishop, together with his presby- 
tery, and the deacons my fellow- 
servants : that so, whatsoever ye 
do, ye may do it according to 
the will of God. 

CHAP. II. 

Desires their prayers, and to be united, but 
not to Judaize. 

MY brethren, the love I 
have towards you makes 
me the 1 more large ; and having 
a great joy in you, I endeavour 
to secure you against danger ; 
or rather not I, but Jesus Christ ; 
in whom being bound, I the 
more fear, as being yet only 2 on 
the way to suffering. 

2 But your prayer to God 
shall make me perfect, that I 
may attain to that portion, which 
by God's mercy is allotted to 
me ; fleeing to the Gospel as to 
the flesh of Christ ; and to the 
apostles as to the presbytery of 
the church. 

1 Very much poured out. 

2 Vid. Voss. in loc. Imperfect. 

3 Or, preached of the Gospel j and 
hoped in him, and expected him. 

184 



3 Let us also love the proph- 
ets, forasmuch as they also have 
3 led us to the Gospel, and 
to hope in 4 Christ, and to ex- 
pect him. 

4 In whom also believing 
they were saved, in the unity of 
Jesus Christ : being holy men, 
worthy to be loved, and had in 
wonder ; 

5 Who have received testi- 
mony from Jesus Christ, and 
are numbered in the Gospel of 
our common hope. 

6 But if any one shall preach 
5 the Jewish law unto you, 
hearken not unto him : for it is 
better to receive the doctrine of 
Christ from one that has been 
circumcised, than Judaism from 
one that has not. 

7 But if either the one, or 
other, do not speak concerning 
Christ Jesus, they seem to me 
to be but as monuments and 
sepulchres of the dead, upon 
which are written only the 
names of men. 

8 Flee therefore the wicked 
arts and snares of the prince of 
this world ; lest at any time, being 
oppressed by his 6 cunning, ye 
grow 7 cold in your charity. But 
come all together into the same 
place, with an undivided heart. 

9 And I bless my God that I 
have a good conscience towards 
you, and that no one among you 
has whereof to boast, either 
openly or privately, that I have 
been burthensome to him m. 
much or little. 



4 Vid. Voss. in loc. 

5 Judaism. 

c Opinion, council. 
7 Weak. 



Desires them not 



PHILADELPHIANS. 



to Judaize» 



10 And I wish to all among 
whom I have conversed, that it 
may not turn to a witness 
against them. 

11 For although some would 
have deceived me according to 
the flesh ; yet the spirit, being 
from God, is not deceived : 
for it knows both whence it 
comes, and whither it goes, and 
reproves the secrets of the heart. 

12 I cried whilst I was among 
you ; I spake with a loud voice ; 
attend to the bishop, and to the 
presbytery, and to the deacons. 

13 Now some supposed that "I 
spake this as foreseeing the di- 
vision 1 that should come among 

you. 

14 But he is my witness for 
whose sake I am in bonds that 
I knew nothing from any x man. 
But the spirit spake, saying on 
this wise ; Do nothing without 
the bishop : 

15 Keep your 2 bodies as the 
temples of God : Love unity : 
Flee divisions : Be the followers 
of Christ, as he was of his 
Father. 

16 I therefore did as became 
me, as a man composed to unity. 
For where there is division and 
wrath, God dwelleth not. 

17 But the Lord forgives all 
that repent, if they 3 return to 
the unity of God, and to the 
council of the bishop. 

18 For I trust in the grace 
of Jesus Christ 4 that he will 
free you from every bond. 

19 Nevertheless I exhort you 
that you do nothing out of 

1 Of some. 

2 Flesh. 

3 Repent. 

16* 



strife, but according to the in- 
struction of Christ. 

20 Because I have heard of 
some who say, Unless I find it 
written in the 5 originals, I will 
not believe it to be written in 
the Gospel. And when I said, 
It is written, they answered 
what lay before them in their 
corrupted copies. 

21 But to me Jesus Christ is 
instead of all the uncorrupted 
monuments in the world ; to- 
gether with those 6 undenled 
monuments, his cross, and death, 
and resurrection, and the faith 
which is by him ; by which I 
desire, through your prayers, to 
be justified. 

22 *\\ The priests indeed are 
good : but much better is the 
High Priest to whom the Holy 
of Holies has been committed ; 
and who alone has been intrust- 
ed with the secrets of God. 

23 He is the door of the Fa- 
ther ; by which Abraham, and 
Isaac, and Jacob, and all the 
prophets, enter in ; as well as 
the Apostles and the church. 

24 And all these things tend 
to the unity which is of God. 
Howbeit the Gospel has some- 
what in it far above all other 
dispensations ; namely, the ap- 
pearance of our Saviour the 
Lord Jesus Christ, his passion, 
and resurrection. 

25 For the beloved prophets 
referred to him ; but the Gospel 
is the perfection of incorruption. 
All therefore together are good, 
if ye believe with charity. 

4 Who will loose from yoa. 

6 Archives. Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 

6 Untouched. 

185 



Persecution 



SMYRN/EANS. 



stopped, fyc. 



CHAP. III. 



Informs them he had heard that the persecu- 
tion was stopped at Antioch : and directs 
them to send a messenger thither, to con- 
gratulate with the church. 

NOW as concerning the 
church of Antioch which 
is in Syria, seeing I am told that 
through your prayers, and the 
bowels which ye have towards it 
in Jesus Christ, it is in peace ; 
it will become you, as the 
church of God, to ordain some 
1 deacon to go to them thither 
as the ambassador of God ; that 
he may rejoice with them when 
they meet together, and glorify 
God's name. 

2 Blessed be that man in 
Jesus Christ, who shall be found 
worthy of such a ministry ; and 
ye yourselves also shall be glori- 
fied. 

3 Now if ye be willing, it is 
not impossible for you to do this 
for the sake of God ; as also the 
other neighbouring churches 
have sent them, some bishops, 
some priests and deacons. 



4 As concerning Philo, the 
deacon of Cilicia, a most worthy 
2 man, he still ministers unto me 
in the word of God ; together 
with Rheus 3 of Agathopolis, a 
singular good person, who has 
followed me even from Syria, 
not regarding his life : these 
also bear witness unto you. 

5 And I myself give thanks 
to God for you, that ye receive 
them as the Lord shall receive 
you. But for those that dishon- 
oured them, may they be for- 
given through the grace of 
Jesus Christ. 

6 The charity of the brethren 
that are at Troas salutes you : 
from whence also I now write 
by Burrhus, who was sent 
together with me by those of 
Ephesus and Smyrna, for respect 
sake. 

7 May our Lord Jesus Christ 
honour them; in whom they 
hope, both in fiesh, and soul, 
and spirit; in faith, in love, in 
unity. Farewell in Christ Jesus, 
our common hope. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the SMYRNjEANS. 

of the beloved Jesus Christ; 
which God hath mercifully 
4 blessed with every good gift; 
being tilled with faith and char- 
ity, so that it is wanting in no 
gift; most worthy of God, and 
fruitful in saints; the church 
which is at Smyrna in Asia; all 

3 Vid. VossiusAnnot. inEp. ad Smyrn. 
p. 261. Seecliap.iii.il. 
* Comp. 1 Cor. i. 5. 7. 



CHAP. I. 

1 Declares his joy for their firmness in the 
Gospel. 4 Enlarges on the person of Christ, 
against such as pretend that Christ did not 
really 6uffer. 

IGNATIUS, who is also 
called Theophorus, to the 
church of God the Father, and 

1 Messenger or minister. 

2 Vossius, a martyr or confessor. Vid. 
Aunot. in loc. 

186 



Of the person 



SMYRNiEANS. 



of Christ. 



joy, through his immaculate 
spirit, and the word of God. 

2 I glorify God, even Jesus 
Christ, who has given you such 
wisdom. 

3 For I have observed that 
you are settled in an immovable 
faith, as if you were nailed to 
the cross of our Lord Jesus 
Christ both in the flesh and in 
the spirit ; and are confirmed in 
love through the blood of Christ ; 
being fully persuaded of those 
things which relate * unto our 
Lord. 

4 Who truly was of the race 
of David according to the flesh, 
but the Son of God according 
to the will and power of God ; 
truly born of the Virgin, and 
baptized of John ; that so 2 all 
righteousness might be fulfilled 
by him. 

5 He was also truly crucified 
by Pontius Pilate, and Herod 
the Tetrarch, being nailed for 
us in the flesh ; by the fruits of 
which we are, even by his most 
blessed passion ; 

6 That he might set 3 up a 
token for all ages through his 
resurrection, to all his holy and 
faithful servants, whether they 
be Jews or Gentiles, in one 
body of his church. 

7 Now all these things he 
suffered for us, that we might 
be saved. And he suffered 
truly, as he also truly raised up 
himself; and not, as some un- 
believers say, that he only seem- 
ed to suffer, they themselves 
only seeming to be. 4 

1 Unto the Lord. 2 j\x a u. iii. 15. 

3 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 

•* i. e. Christians. 

5 Incorporeal and demoniac. 



8 And as they believe, so 
shall it happen unto them ; when, 
being divested of the body, they 
shall become 5 mere spirits. 

9 But I know that even after 
his resurrection, he was in the 
flesh; and I believe that he is 
still so. 

10 And when he came to 
those who were with Peter, 6 he 
said unto them, Take, handle 
me, and see that I am not 
an incorporeal demon. And 
straightway they felt him and 
believed ; being convinced both 
by his flesh and spirit. 

11 For this cause they de- 
spised death, and were found to 
be above 7 it. 

12 But after his resurrection 
he did eat and drink with them, 
as he was flesh ; although as to 
his spirit he was united to the 
Father. 

CHAP. II. 

1 Exhorts them against heretics. 8 The 
danger of their doctrine. 

NOW these things, beloved, 
I 8 put you in mind of, 
not questioning but that you 
yourselves also 9 believe that 
they are so. 

2 But I arm you beforehand 
against certain beasts in the 
shape of men ; whom you must 
not only not receive, but if it be 
possible must not meet with. 

3 Only you must pray for 

them, that if it be the will of 

God, they may repent ; which 

yet will be very hard. But of 

this our Lord Jesus Christ has 

6 Ex. Evang. Sec. Hobr. See Dr. 
Grabe Spicileg. torn. ii. p. 25. 



7 Death. 
9 Have so. 



8 Admonish. 



187 



Danger of 



SMYRNiEANS. 



heresy. 



the power, who is our true 
life. 

4 For if all these things were 
done only in show by our Lord, 
then do I also seem only to be 
bound : 

5 And why have I given up 
myself to death, to the fire, to 
the sword, to wild beasts ? 

6 But now the nearer I am 
to the sword, the nearer am I to 
God ; when I shall come among 
the wild beasts, I shall come to 
God. 

7 Only in the name of Jesus 
Christ, I undergo all, to suffer 
together with him ; he who was 
made a perfect man strengthen- 
ing me. 

8 Whom some, not knowing, 
do deny ; or rather have been 
denied by him, being the advo- 
cates of death, rather than of 
the truth. Whom neither the 
prophecies, nor the law of Mo- 
ses, have persuaded ; nor the Gos- 
pel itself even to this day, nor 
the sufferings of any one of us. 

9 For they think also the 
same things of us. For what 
does a man profit me, if he shall 
praise me, and blaspheme my 
Lord; not confessing that he 
1 was truly made man ? 

10 Now he that doth not say 
this, does in effect deny him, 
and is in death. But for the 
names of such as do this, they 
being unbelievers, I thought it 
not fitting to write them unto 
you. 

11 Yea, God forbid that I 
should make any mention of 



1 Had true flesh. 

3 Matt. xix. 12. 

4 Vid, Epist. Interpol. 

183 



2 It is. 



them, till they shall repent to a 
true belief of Christ's passion, 
which is our resurrection. 

12 Let no man deceive him- 
self; both the things which are 
in heaven, and the glorious 
angels, and princes, whether 
visible or invisible, if they be- 
lieve not in the blood of Christ, 
2 it shall be to them to condem- 
nation. 

13 3 He that is able to receive 
this, let him receive it. Let no 
man's 4 place or state in the 
world puff him up : that which 
is worth all is faith and charity, 
to which nothing is to be pre- 
ferred. 

14 But consider those who 
are of a different opinion from 
us, as to what concerns the 
grace of Jesus Christ which is 
come unto us, how contrary they 
are to the design of God. 

• 15 They have no regard to 
charity, no care of the widow, 
the fatherless, and the oppress- 
ed ; of the bond or free, of the 
hungry or thirsty. 

16 They abstain from the eu- 
charist, and from 5 the pub- 
lic offices ; because they confess 
not the eucharist to be the flesh 
of our Saviour Jesus Christ ; 
which suffered for our sins, and 
which the Father of his goodness 
raised again from the dead. 

17 And for this cause con- 
tradicting the gift of God, they 
die in their disputes : 6 but 
much better would it be for them 
to 7 receive it, that they might 
one day rise through it. 

5 Vid Annot. Coteler. in loc. Or, 
Prayers. 



6 Vid. Coteler. Annot. 



7 Love. 



On duty to 



SMYRNJEANS. 



the bishop, fyc. 



18 It will therefore become 
you to abstain from such per- 
sons; and not to speak with 
them, neither in private, nor in 
public. 

19 But to hearken to the 
prophets, and especially to the 
Gospel, in which both Christ's 
passion is manifested unto us, 
and his resurrection perfectly 
declared. 

20 But flee all divisions, as 
the beginning of evils. 

CHAP. III. 

1 Exhorts them to follow their bishop and 
pastors ; but especially their bishop. 6 
Thanks them for their Kindness, 11 and 
acquaints them with the ceasing of the per- 
secution at Antioch. 

SEE that ye all follow your 
bishop, as Jesus Christ the 
Father ; and the presbytery, as 
the Apostles. And reverence 
the deacons, as the command of 
God. 

2 Let no man do any thing 
of what belongs to the church 
separately from the bishop. 

3 Let that eucharist be look- 
ed upon as well established, 
which is either offered by the 
bishop, or by him to whom the 
bishop has given his consent. 

4 Wheresoever the bishop 
shall appear, there let the 1 peo- 
ple also be : as where Jesus 
Christ is, there is the Catholic 
church. 

5 It is not lawful without 
the bishop, neither to baptize, 
nor 2 to celebrate the Holy 
Communion : but whatsoever 
he shall approve of, that is also 



1 Multitude. 

2 Make a love feast. 

3 Return to a sound mind. 

4 Does worship. 



pleasing unto God; that so 
whatever is done, may be sure 
to be well done. 

6 For what remains, it is 
very reasonable that we should 

3 repent whilst there is yet time 
to return unto God. 

7 It is a good thing to have 
a due regard both to God, and 
to the bishop : he that honours 
the bishop, shall be honoured of 
God. But he that does any 
thing without his knowledge, 

4 ministers unto the devil. 

8 Let all things therefore 
abound to you in charity ; see- 
ing ye are worthy. 

9 Ye have refreshed me in 
all things ; so shall Jesus Christ 
you. Ye have loved me both 
when I was present with you, 
and now, being absent, ye cease 
not to do so. 

10 May God be your reward, 
for whom whilst ye undergo 
all things, ye shall attain unto 
him. 

11 Ye have done well in that 
ye have received Philo, and 
Rheus 5 Agathopus, who fol- 
lowed me 6 for the word of God, 
as the deacons of Christ our 
God. 

12 Who also give thanks 
unto the Lord for you, foras- 
much as ye have refreshed them 
in all 7 things. 8 Nor shall any 
thing that you have done, be 
lost to you. 

13 My 9 soul be for yours, 
and my bonds which ye have 
not despised, nor been ashamed 



5 Vid. Voss. Annot 

6 Unto. 

8 Vid. Epist. Interpol 

9 Spirit. 

189 



in loc. 

Ways. 



Ceasing of the 



SMYRNiEANS. 



persecution. 



of. Wherefore neither shall 
Jesus Christ, our perfect faith, 
be ashamed of you. 

14 Your prayer is come to 
the church of Antioch which is 
in Syria. From whence being 
sent bound with chains becom- 
ing God, I salute the 1 church- 
es; being not worthy to be 
called 2 from thence, as being 
the least among them. 

15 Nevertheless by the will 
of God I have been thought 
worthy of this honour ; not for 
that I think I have deserved it, 
but by the grace of God : 

16 Which I wish may be 
perfectly given unto me, that 
through your prayers I may 
attain unto God. 

17 And therefore that your 
work may be fully accomplished, 
both upon earth and in heaven, 
it will be fitting, and for the 
honour of God, 3 that your 
church appoint some worthy 
delegate, who, being come as far 
as Syria, may rejoice together 
with them that they are in 
peace ; and that they are again 
restored to their former 4 state, 
and have again received their 
proper body. 

18 Wherefore I should think 
it a worthy action, to send some 
one from you with an epistle, to 
congratulate with them their 
peace in God; and that through 
your prayers, they have now 
gotten to their harbour. 

19 For inasmuch as ye are 



All the. 

i. e. The bishop of that church. 

Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 

Bulk, greatness. 

Help you. 

190 



perfect yourselves, ye ought to 
think those things that are per- 
fect. For when you are desi- 
rous to do well, God is ready to 
5 enable you thereunto. 

20 The love of the brethren 
that are at Troas salute you ; 
from whence I write to you by 
Burrhus, whom ye sent with me, 
together with the Ephesians, 
your brethren; and who has in 
all things refreshed me. 

21 And I would to God that 
all would imitate him, as being 
a pattern of the ministry of God. 
May his grace fully reward him. 

22 I salute your very worthy 
bishop, and your venerable 
presbytery; and your deacons, 
my fellow-servants ; and all of 
you in general, and every one in 
particular, in the name of Jesus 
Christ, and in his flesh and 
blood ; in his passion and res- 
urrection both fleshly and spir- 
itually ; and in 6 the unity of 
God 7 with you. 

23 Grace be with you, and 
mercy, and peace, and patience, 
for evermore. 

24 I salute the families of 
my brethren, with their wives 
and children ; and the 8 virgins 
that are called widows. Be 
strong in the power of the Holy 
Ghost. Philo, who is present 
with me, salutes you. 

25 I salute the house of Ta- 
vias, and pray that it may be 
strengthened in faith and char- 
ity, both of flesh and spirit. 



G Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 

7 And. 

8 i. e. The deaconesses. See, for the 
reason of this name, Voss. Annot. in loc. 
Add. Coteler. ib. 



Ignatius exhorts 



POLYCARP. 



Polycarp 



my well- 
vvith the 



26 I salute Alee 
beloved ; l together 
incomparable Daphnus, and Eu- 
technus, and all by name. 



27 Farewell in the grace of 
God. 

fl To the Smyrnceans from 
Troas. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to POLYCARP. 



CHAP. I. 

Blesses God for the firm establishment of Pol- 
ycarp in the faith, and gives him particu- 
lar directions for improving it. 

IGNATIUS, who is also called 
Theophorus, to Polycarp, 
bishop of the church 2 which is 
at Smyrna ; their overseer, but 
rather himself overlooked by 
God the Father, and the Lord 
Jesus Christ ; all happiness. 

2 Having known that thy 
mind towards God is fixed as it 
were upon an immovable rock ; 
I exceedingly give thanks, that I 
have been thought worthy to be- 
hold thy 3 blessed face ; in which 
may I always rejoice in God. 

3 Wherefore, I beseech thee, 
by the grace of God, with which 
thou art clothed, to press forward 
in thy course, and to exhort all 
others that they may be saved. 

4 Maintain thy place with all 
care 4 both of flesh and spirit : 
make it thy endeavour to pre- 
serve unity, than which nothing 
is better. Bear with all men, 
even as the Lord with thee. 

5 Support all in love, as also 
thou dost. 5 Pray without ceas- 
ing : ask more understanding 

1 See Voss. Annot. ex Epist. Interpol. 

2 Of the Smyrnaeans. 3 Innocent. 

4 Vid. 1 Cor. vii. 34. 

5 Be at leisure to, &c. 



than what thou already hast. 
Be watchful, having thy spirit 
always awake. 

6 Speak to every one 6 ac- 
cording as God shall enable 
thee. Bear the 7 infirmities of 
all, as a perfect combatant: 
where the labour is great, the 
gain 8 is the more. 

7 If thou shalt love the good 
disciples, what thank is it? 
But rather do thou subject to 
thee those that are mischievous, 
in meekness. 

8 Every wound is not healed 
with the same plaster ; if the 
accessions of the disease be ve- 
hement, mollify them with 9 soft 
remedies : be in all things 
10 wise as a serpent, but harmless 
as a dove. 

9 For this cause thou art 
composed of flesh and spirit; 
that thou mayest mollify those 
things that appear before thy 
face. 

10 And as for those that are 
not seen, pray to God that he 
would reveal them unto thee, 
that so thou mayest be wanting 
in nothing, but mayest abound 
in every gift. 

6 Vid. Vossius in loc. aliter Vet. Lat. 
Interpr. 

7 The diseases. 8 I s much. 

9 Superfusions. 10 Matt. x. 16. 

191 



to improve 



POLYCARP. 



his faith. 



11 The times demand thee, 
as the pilots the winds ; and he 
that is tossed in a tempest, the 
haven where he would be ; that 
thou may est attain unto God. 

12 Be sober, as the combat- 
ant of God : l the crown pro- 
posed to thee is immortality, 
and eternal life ; concerning 
which thou art also fully per- 
suaded. I will be thy surety in 
all things, and my bonds, which 
thou hast loved. 

13 Let not those that seem 
worthy of credit, but teach other 
doctrines, 2 disturb thee. Stand 
firm and immovable, as an anvil 
when it is beaten upon. 

14 It is the part of a brave 
combatant, to be 3 wounded, 
and yet overcome. But es- 
pecially we ought to endure all 
tilings for God's sake, that he 
may bear with us. 

15 Be every day 4 better than 
other : consider the times ; and 
expect him, who is above all 
time, eternal, invisible, though 
for our sakes made visible ; im- 
palpable, and impassible, yet 
for us subjected to sufferings ; 
enduring all manner of ways for 
our salvation. 

CHAP. II. 

1 Continues his advice, 6 and teaches him 
how to advise others. 12 Enforces unity 
and subjection to the bishop. 

LET not the widows be 
neglected ; be thou, after 
God, their guardian. 

2 Let nothing be done with- 
out thy knowledge and consent ; 

1 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Collat. cum 
Coteler. ib. 

2 Amaze thee. 3 Beaten. 
4 More studious, diligent. 

192 



neither do thou any thing but 
according to the will of God ; 
as also tfrou dost, 5 with all con- 
stancy. 

3 Let your assemblies be 
more full : inquire into all by 
name. 

4 Overlook not the men and 
maid servants ; neither let them 
be puffed up; but rather let 
them be the more subject to the 
glory of God, that they may ob- 
tain from him a better liberty. 

5 Let them not desire to 6 be 
set free at the public cost, that 
they be not slaves to their own 
lusts. 

6 Flee evil 7 arts ; or rather, 
make not any mention of them. 

7 Say to my sisters, that they 
love the Lord ; and be satisfied 
with their own husbands, both 
in the flesh and spirit. 

8 In like manner, exhort my 
brethren in the name of Jesus 
Christ, that they love their 
wives, even as the Lord the 
church. 

9 If any man can remain in 
a virgin state, 8 to the honour 
of the flesh Christ, let him re- 
main, without boasting : but if 
he boast, he is undone. And 
if he desire to be more taken 
notice of than the bishop, he is 
corrupted. 

10 But it becomes all such 
as are married, whether men or 
women, to come together with the 
consent of the bishop, that so 
their marriage may be according 
to godliness, and not in lust. 

6 Being- well settled. 

6 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. 

f Or, trades. 

s Vid. Annot. Vossii et Coteler. in loc. 



Subjection to 



POLYCARP. 



the bishop. 



11 Let all things be done to 
the honour of God. 

12 l Hearken unto the bishop, 
that God also may hearken unto 
you. My soul be security for 
them that submit to their bishop, 
with their presbyters and dea^ 
cons. And may my portion be 
together with theirs in God. 

13 Labour with one another ; 
contend together, run together, 
suffer together, sleep together, 
and rise together ; as the stew- 
ards, and assessors, and ministers 
of God. 

14 Please him under whom 
ye war ; and from whom ye re- 
ceive your wages. Let none of 
you be found a deserter ; but 
let your baptism remain as your 
arms ; your faith as your hel- 
met ; your charity as your 
spear ; your patience as your 
whole armour. 

15 Let your works be your 
2 charge, that so you may re- 
ceive a suitable reward. Be long- 
suffering, therefore, towards each 
other in meekness ; as God is 
towards you. 

16 Let me have joy of you in 
all things. 

CHAP. III. 

1 Greets Polycarp on the peace of the church 
atAntioch: 2 and desires him to write to 
that and other churches. 

NOW forasmuch as the 
church of Antioch in 
Syria is, 3 as I am told, in peace 
through your prayers ; I also 
have been the more comforted 

1 Observe, from the foregoing verses, 
that Ignatius here speaks not to Poly- 
carp, but through him to the Church of 
Smyrna. 

2 That which is committed to your 
custody, to keep secure. 

17 



4 and witnout care in God ; if so 
be that by suffering I shall attain 
unto God ; that through your 
prayers I may be found a disci- 
ple of Christ. 

2 It will be very n% O most 
worthy Polycarp, to call a 5 se- 
lect council, and choose some 
one whom ye particularly love, 
and who is patient of labour ; 
that he may be the messenger 
of God ; and that going unto 
Syria, he may glorify your inces- 
sant love, to the praise of Christ. 

3 A Christian has not the 
power of himself; but must be 
always at leisure for God's ser- 
vice. Now this work is both 
God's and yours ; when ye shall 
have perfected it. 

4 For I trust through the 
grace of God that ye are ready 
to every good work that is fitting 
for you in the Lord. 

5 Knowing therefore your 
earnest affection to the truth, I 
have exhorted you by 6 these 
short letters. 

6 But forasmuch as I have 
not been able to write to all the 
churches, because I must sud- 
denly sail from Troas to Neap- 
olis (for so is the command of 
those to whose pleasure I am 
subject) ; do you write to the 
churches that are near you, as 
being instructed in the will of 
God, that they also may do in 
like manner. 

7 Let those that are able send 
7 messengers.; and Jet the rest 

3 It has been manifested uuto me. 

4 In the security of God. 

5 Most becoming God. 

6 Viz. To the Smyrneeans, and this to 
himself. See Pearson in loc. 

7 Footmen. 

193 



Commends 



PHILIPPIANS. 



the Philippians 



send their letters by those who 
shall be sent by you ; that you 
may be glorified 1 to all eternity, 
of which you are worthy. 

8 I salute all by name; par- 
ticularly the wife of Epitropus, 
with all her house and children. I 
salute Attalus, my well-beloved. 

9 I salute him who shall be 
thought worthy to be sent by 



you into Syria. Let grace be 
ever with him, 2 and with Poly- 
carp who sends him. 

10 I wish you all happiness 
in our God, Jesus Christ, in 
whom continue, in the unity 
and protection of God. 

11 I salute Alee, my well- 
beloved. Farewell in the Lord. 

fl To Polycarp. 



The EPISTLE OF POLYCARP to the PHILIPPIANS. 

[The genuineness of this Epistle is controverted, but implicitly believed by Archbishop 
Wake, whose translation is below. There is also a translation by Dr. Cave, attached to his 
life of Polycarp.] 



CHAP. I. 

Commends the Philippians for their respect to 
those who suffered for the Gospel j and for 
their own faith. 

POLYCARP, and the pres- 
byters that are with him, 
to the church of God which 3 is 
at Philippi ; mercy unto you, 
and peace, from God Almighty, 
and the Lord Jesus Christ, our 
Saviour, be multiplied. 

2 I rejoiced greatly with you 
in our Lord Jesus Christ, that 
ye received the images of a true 
love, and accompanied, as it be- 
hoved you, those who were in 
bonds becoming saints; which 
are the crowns of such as are 
truly chosen by God and our 
Lord : 

3 As also that the 4 root of 
the faith which was preached 
from ancient times, remains firm 



1 Vid. Voss. in loc. In the Etemal 
work. 

2 Ex. Vet. Interpr. Vid. Voss. Annot. 

3 Sojourneth. 

]94 



in you to this day ; and brings 
forth fruit to our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who suffered himself to 
be brought even to the death for 
our sins. 

4 5 Whom God hath raised 
up, having loosed the pains of 
death. 6 Whom having not 
seen, ye love; in whom, though 
now ye see him not, yet believ- 
ing, ye rejoice with joy unspeak- 
able and full of glory. 

5 Into which many desire to 
enter ; 7 knowing that by grace 
ye are saved ; not by works, but 
by the will of 
Jesus Christ. 

6 8 Wherefore, girding up the 
loins of your minds ; 9 serve the 
Lord with fear, and in truth ; 
laying aside all empty and vain 
speech, and the error of many ; 
10 believing in him that raised up 

4 Finn root remains in you. 

5 Acts ii. 24. * 6 1 Pet. i. 8. 
7 Eph. ii. 8. s 1 Pet. i. 13. 
9 Psalm ii. 11. io i Pet. i. 21. 



God, through 



Exhorts to 



PHILIPPIANS. 



social and oioer 



our Lord Jesus Christ from the 
dead, and hath given him glory, 
and a throne at his right hand. 

7 To whom all things are 
made subject, ] both that are in 
heaven, and that are in earth ; 
whom every 2 living creature shall 
worship ; who shall come to be 
the judge of the quick and dead ; 
whose blood God shall require 
of them that believe not in him. 

8 But he that raised up 
3 Christ from the dead, shall 
also raise up us in like manner, 
if we do his will, and walk 4 ac- 
cording to his commandments ; 
and love those things which he 
loved : 

9 Abstaining from all 5 un- 
righteousness ; 6 inordinate af- 
fection, and love of money ; 
from evil speaking; false wit- 
ness ; not rendering evil for evil, 
or railing for railing, or striking 
for striking, or cursing for curs- 
ing. 

10 But remembering what 
the Lord has 7 taught us, saying, 
Judge not, and ye shall not be 
judged; forgive, and ye shall be 
forgiven; be ye merciful, and 
ye shall obtain mercy ; for with 
the same measure that ye mete 
withal, it shall be measured to 
you again. 

11 And again, that 8 blessed 
are the poor, and they that are 
persecuted for righteousness' 
sake ; for theirs is the kingdom 
of God. 



» Phil. ii. 10. 2 Breath. 

3 Him. 4 In. 

5 Injustice. 

6 Eph. iv. 19. Coloss. iii. 5. 1 Pet. hi. 9. 

7 Said to us. Teaching. Luke vi. 37. 
Matt. vii. 1. 

a Matt. v. 3. 10. Luke vi. 20 



CHAP. II. 

1 Exhorts to faith, hope, and charity, 5 
Against covetousness, and as to the duties 
of husbands, wives, widows, 9 deacons, 
young men, virgins, and presbyters. 

THESE things, my brethren, 
I took not the liberty of 
myself to write unto you con- 
cerning righteousness, but you 
yourselves before encouraged 
me to it. 

2 For neither can I, nor any 
other such as I am, come up to 
the wisdom of the blessed and 
renowned Paul ; who, being him- 
self in person with those who 
then lived, did with all exact- 
ness and soundness teach the 
word 9 of truth ; and being 
gone from you wrote an 10 epistle 
to you. 

3 Into which if you look, you 
will be able to edify yourselves 
in the faith that has been deliv- 
ered unto you; which is the 
mother of us all ; being followed 
with hope, and led on by a gen- 
eral love, both towards God and 
towards Christ, and towards our 
neighbour. 

4 For if any man u has these 
things, he has fulfilled the law 
of righteousness : for he that 
has charity is far from all sin. 

5 But the love of money is 
the 12 root of all evil. Knowing 
therefore that as we brought 
nothing into this world, so 
neither may we carry any thing 
out ; let us 13 arm ourselves with 
the armour of righteousness. 

9 n£pt a\t]0eias, concerning Truth. 

10 Epistles. Vid. Annot. Coteler. in 
loc. 

11 Be within. 

12 Beginning of all troubles, or difficul- 
ties, ^oXettov. 1 Tim. vi. 7. 

1 3 Be anned. 

195 



Christian 



PHILIPPIANS. 



duties. 



6 And teach ourselves first to 
walk according to the command- 
ments of the Lord ; and then your 
wives to walk likewise 1 accord- 
ing to the faith that is given to 
them ; in 2 charity, and in puri- 
ty; loving their own husbands 
with all 3 sincerity, and all others 
alike with all temperance ; and 
to bring up their children in the 
instruction 4 and fear of the Lord. 

7 The widows likewise teach 
that they be sober as to what 
concerns the faith of the Lord ; 
praying always for all men ; be- 
ing far from all detraction, evil 
speaking, false witness; from 
covetousness, and from all evil. 

8 Knowing that they are the 
altars of God, 5 who sees all blem- 
ishes, and from whom nothing 
is hid ; who searches out the 
very reasonings, and thoughts, 
and secrets of our hearts. 

9 {[ Knowing, therefore, that 
God is not mocked, we ought to 
walk worthy both of his com- 
mand and of his glory. 

10 Also the deacons must be 
blameless before 6 him, as the 
ministers of God in Christ, and 
not of men. Not false accusers ; 
not double-tongued ; not lovers 
of money ; but 7 moderate in all 
things ; compassionate, careful ; 
walking according to the truth 
of the Lord, who was the ser- 
vant of all. 

11 Whom if we please in this 
present world, we shall also be 
made partakers of that which is to 
come, according as he has prom- 



ised to us, that he will raise us 
from the dead ; and that if we 
shall walk worthy of him, we 
shall also reign together with 
him, if we believe. 

12 In like manner the younger 
men must be unblamable in all 
things; above all, taking care 
of their purity, and to restrain 
themselves from all evil. For it 
is good to be cut off from the 
lusts that are in the world ; be- 
cause every such 8 lust warreth 
against the spirit : 9 and neither 
fornicators, nor effeminate, nor 
abusers of themselves with man- 
kind, shall inherit the kingdom 
of God ; nor they who do such 
things as are foolish and un- 
reasonable. 

13 Wherefore ye must needs 
abstain from all these things; 
being subject to the 10 priests 
and deacons, as unto God and 
Christ. 

14 The virgins admonish to 
walk in a spotless and pure con- 
science. 

15 And let the u elders be 
compassionate and merciful to- 
wards all ; 12 turning them from 
their errors; seeking out those 
that are weak ; not forgetting 
the widows, the fatherless, and 
the poor ; but always 13 providing 
what is good both in the sight 
of God and man. 

16 Abstaining from all wrath, 
respect of persons, and unright- 
eous judgment; and especially 
being free from all covetousness. 

17 Not 14 easy to believe any 



* In. 

3 Truth. 

5 And that ho. 

7 Continent. 



2 Love. 

4 Of the. 

6 His righteousness, 

s 1 Pet', ii. 11. 

196 



9 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. 
11 Presbyters. 
™ Rom. xii. 17. 
14 Swiftly believing' 



io Elders. 

i 2 Ezek. xxxiv. 4. 



As to faith in 



PHILIPPIANS. 



our Saviour. 



thing against any ; not severe in 
judgment ; knowing that we are 
all debtors in point of sin. 

18 If therefore we pray to 
the Lord that he would forgive 
us, we ought also to forgive oth- 
ers; for we are all in -the sight 
of our Lord and God ; 1 and 
must all stand before the judg- 
ment seat of Christ ; and shall 
every one give an account 2 of 
himself. 

19 Let us therefore serve him 
in fear, and with all reverence 
as both himself hath command- 
ed; and as the Apostles who 
have preached the Gospel unto 
us, and the prophets who have 
foretold the coming of our Lord, 
have taught us : 

20 Being zealous of what is 
good ; abstaining from all of- 
fence, and from false brethren ; 
and from those who bear the 
name of Christ in hypocrisy; 
who deceive vain men. 

CHAP. III. 

1 As to faith in our Saviour Christ ; his na- 
ture and sufferings ; the resurrection and 
judgment. 3 Exhorts to prayer, 5 and 
steadfastness in the faith, from the examples 
of Christ, 7 and Apostles and saints, and 
exhorts to carefulness in all well-doing. 

FOR 3 whosoever does not 
confess that Jesus Christ 
is come in the flesh, he is .An- 
tichrist: and whoever does not 
confess 4 his suffering upon the 
cross, is from the devil. 

2 And whosoever perverts the 
oracles of the Lord to his own 
lusts ; and says that there shall 
neither be any resurrection, nor 



1 Rom. xiv. 10. 2 Cor. v. 10. 

* For. 3 i John iv. 3. 

4 The martyrdom of the cross. 

17* 



judgment, he is the first-born of 
Satan. 

3 Wherefore, leaving the 
vanity of many, and their false 
doctrines ; let us return to the 
word that was delivered to us 
from the beginning ; 5 Watching 
unto prayer ; and persevering in 
fasting : 

4 With supplication beseech- 
ing the all-seeing God 6 not to 
lead us into temptation ; as the 
Lord hath said ; 7 The spirit 
truly is willing, but the flesh is 
weak. 

5 Let us therefore, without 
ceasing, hold steadfastly to him 
who is our hope, and the ear- 
nest of our righteousness, even 
Jesus Christ ; 8 Who his own 
self bare our sins in his own 
body on the tree ; who did no 
sin, neither was guile found in 
his mouth. But suffered all for 
us that we might live 9 through 
him. 

6 Let us therefore imitate his 
patience : and if we suffer for 
his name, let us glorify him ; for 
this example he has given us by 
himself, and so have we be- 
lieved. 

7 Wherefore I exhort all of 
you that ye obey the word of 
righteousness, and exercise all 
patience ; which ye have seen 
set forth before your eyes, not 
only in the blessed Ignatius, and 
Zozimus, and Rums ; but in 
others among yourselves ; and 
in Paul himself, and the rest of 
the Apostles : 



5 1 Pet iv. 7. 6 Matt. vi. 13. 

7 Matt. xxvi. 41: si p e t. ii. 22. 24. 
9 In 5 1 Pet. ii. 24, &c. 

197 



Exhorts 



PHILIPPIANS. 



8 Being 1 confident of this, 
that all these have not run in 
vain ; but in faith and righteous- 
ness, and are gone to the place 
that was due to them from the 
Lord * with whom also they suf- 
fered. 

9 For they loved not this 
present world; but him who 
died, and was raised again by 
God for us. 

10 Stand therefore in these 
things, and follow the example 
of the Lord ; being firm and 
immutable in the faith, lovers of 
the brotherhood, lovers of one 
another ; 2 companions together 
in the truth, 3 being kind and 
gentle towards each other, de- 
spising none. 

11 When it is in your power 
to do good, defer it not; for 
charity delivereth from death. 

12 Be all of you subject one 
to another ; 4 having your con- 
versation 5 honest among the 
Gentiles ; that by your good 
works, both ye yourselves may 
receive praise, and the Lord 
may not 6 be blasphemed 
through you. But wo be to 
him by whom the name of the 
Lord is blasphemed. 

13 Therefore teach all men 
sobriety ; in which do ye also 
exercise yourselves. 

CHAP. IV. 

Valeng, a presbyter, having fallen into the sin 
of covetou3ness, he exhorts them against it. 

1 Persuaded. 

2 Associated in truth. 

3 Yielding to each other the mildness 
of the Lord, Tobit xii. 9. 

* 1 Pet. ii. 12. 6 TJnreprovable. 

8 Rom. ii. 24. Titus ii. 5. 

7 Concupiscence ; or, immoderate and 

198 



I AM greatly afflicted for Va- 
lens, who was once a pres- 
byter among you; that he should 
so little understand the place 
that was given to him in the 
church. Wherefore I admon- 
ish you that ye abstain from 
7 covetousness ; and that ye be 
chaste, and true of speech. 

2 8 Keep yourselves from all 
evil. For he that in these things 
cannot govern himself, how shall 
he be able to prescribe them to 
another 1 

3 If a man does not keep 
himself from 9 covetousness^ he 
shall be polluted with idolatry, 
and be judged as if he were a 
Gentile. 

4 But who of you are igno- 
rant of the judgment of God? 
10 Do we not know that the saints 
shall judge the world, as Paul 
teaches ? 

5 But I have neither perceiv- 
ed nor heard any thing of this 
kind in you, among whom the 
blessed " Paul laboured ; and 
who are named in the beginning 
of his Epistle. 

6 For he glories of you in all 
the churches who then only 
knew God ; for we did not then 
know him. Wherefore, my 
brethren, I am exceedingly 
sorry both for him, and for his 
wife ; to whom God grant a 
true repentance. 

7 And be ye also moderate 
upon this occasion ; and look 



So Dr. Hammond on Rom. 
22. Eph. v. 5. Coloss 



filthy lusts 
i. 29. 

8 1 Thess 
ii. 5. 

9 As before. Dr. Hammond on 1 Coi 
v. 10. 

10 1 Cor. vi. 2. "Phil. i. 



the sin of 



PHILIPPIANS. 



covetousness. 



not upon such as enemies, but 
call them back as suffering and 
erring members, that ye may 
save your whole body : for by 
so doing, ye shall edify your 
own selves. 

8 For I trust that ye are well 
exercised in the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and that nothing is hid 
from you : but at present it is 
not granted unto me to practise 
that which is 1 written, Be angry 
and sin not ; and again, Let not 
the sun go down upon your 
wrath. 

9 Blessed is he that believeth 
and remembereth these things ; 
which also I trust you do. 

10 Now the God and Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
he himself who is our everlast- 
ing high-priest, the Son of God, 
even Jesus Christ, build you up 
in faith and in truth, and in all 
meekness and lenity ; in pa- 
tience and long-suffering, in 
forbearance and chastity ; 

11 And grant unto you a lot 
and portion among his saints; 
and us with you, and to all that 
are under the heavens, who 
shall believe in our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and in his Father 2 who 
raised him from the dead. 

12 3 Pray for all the saints: 
pray also for kings, and 4 all that 
are in authority ; and for those 
who persecute you, and hate 
you, and for the enemies of the 
cross; that your fruit may be 

1 Said in these Scriptures. Psalm iv. 
4. Eph. iv. 26. 

2 Gal. i. 1. 

3 ITim. ii. 1,2. 

4 Powers and princes. 5 Him. 



manifest in all ; and that ye may 
be perfect in 5 Christ. 

13 6 Ye wrote to me, both ye, 
and also Ignatius, that if any 
one went from hence into Syria, 
he should bring your letters with 
him ; which also I will take care 
of, as soon as I shall have a con- 
venient opportunity; either by 
myself, or him whom I shall 
send upon your account. 

14 The epistles of Ignatius 
which he wrote 7 unto us, to- 
gether with what others of his 
have come to our hands, we 
have sent to you, according to 
your order ; which are subjoined 
to this epistle : 

15 By which ye may be great- 
ly profited ; for they treat of faith 
and patience, and of all things 
that pertain to edification in 
8 the Lord Jesus. 

16 fl What you know certain- 
ly of Ignatius, and those that are 
with him, signify unto us. 

17 fl These things have I 
written unto you by Crescens, 
whom by this present epistle I 
have recommended to you, and 
do now again commend. 

18 For he has had his con- 
versation without blame among 
us ; and I suppose also with you. 

19 Ye will also have regard 
unto his sister, when she shall 
come unto you. 

20 Be ye safe in the Lord 
Jesus Christ ; 9 and in favour 
with all yours. Amen. 

6 See Annot. Usser. in loc. 

7 i. e. To himself, and to the church of 
Smyrna. 

8 Our Lord. 

9 His grace be with you all. Amen. 

199 



THE SHEPHERD OF HERMAS. 

[This book is thus entitled, because it was composed by Hermas, brother to Pius, bishop of 
Rome: and because the angel, who bears the principal part in it, is represented in the 
form and habit of a shepherd. Irenasus quotes it under the very name of Scripture ; 
Origen thought it a most useful writing, and that it was divinely inspired ; Eusebius says, 
that though it was not esteemed canonical, it was read publicly in the churches, which is 
corroborated by Jerome ; and Athanasius cites it, calls it a most useful work, and observes, 
that though it was not strictly canonical, the Fathers appointed it to be read for direction 
and confirmation in faith and piety. Jerome, notwithstanding this, and that he applauded 
it in his catalogue of writers, in his comments upon it afterwards^ terms' it apocryphal and 
foolish. Tertullian praised it when a Catholic, and abused it when a Montanist. Al- 
though Gelasius ranks it among the apocryphal books, it is found attached to some of the 
most ancient MSS. of the New Testament ; and Archbishop Wake, believing it the genu- 
ine work of an apostolical Father, preserves it to the English reader by the following 
translation, in which he has rendered the books not only more exact, but in greater purity 
than they had before appeared. The archbishop procured Dr. Grabe to entirely collate the 
old Latin Version with an ancient MS. in the Lambeth library ; and the learned prelate 
himself still further improved the whole from a multitude of fragments of the original 
Greek, never before used for that purpose.] 

The First Book of HERMAS, which is called his VISIONS. 



VISION I. 

1 Against filthy and proud thoughts ; 20 also 
the neglect of Hermas in chastising his 
children. 

HE who had bred me up 
sold a certain young maid 
at Rome ; whom when I saw 
many years after, I remembered 
her, and began to love her as a 
sister. It happened some time 
afterwards, that I saw her wash- 
ing in the river Tyber ; and I 
reached out my hand unto her, 
and brought her out of the 
river. 

2 And when I saw her, I 
thought with myself, saying, 
How happy should I be if I had 
such a wife, both for beauty and 
manners ! This I thought with 
myself; nor did I think any 
thing more. But not long after, 
as I was walking, and musing 
on these thoughts, I began to 
honour this creature of God, 

1 In MS. Lambeth. Pnecepta sum a 
Domino ut peccata tua argnam : I am 

200 



thinking with myself how noble 
and beautiful she was. 

3 And when I had walked a 
little, I fell asleep. And the 
Spirit caught me away, and car- 
ried me through a certain place 
towards the right hand, through 
which no man could pass. It 
was a place among rocks, very 
steep, and unpassable for water. 

4 When I was past this place, 
I came into a plain ; and there, 
falling down upon my knees, I 
began to pray unto the Lord, 
and to confess my sins. 

5 And as I was praying, the 
heaven was opened, and I saw 
the woman which I had coveted, 
saluting me from heaven, and 
saying, Hermas, hail ! and I, 
looking upon her, answered, 
Lady, what dost thou do here 1 
She answered me, * I am taken 
up hither to accuse thee of sin 
before the Lord. 

commanded of the Lord to reprove thee 
for thy sins. 



Against filthy and 



VISION I. 



proud thoughts. 



6 Lady, said I, Wilt thou 
1 convince me 1 No, said she ; 
but hear the words which I am 
about to speak unto thee. God, 
who dwelleth in heaven, and 
hath made all things out of noth- 
ing, and hath multiplied them 
for his holy church's sake, is 
angry with thee, because thou 
hast sinned against me. 

7 And I answering said unto 
her, Lady, if I have sinned 
against thee, tell me where, or 
in what place ; or when did I 
ever speak an unseemly or dis- 
honest word unto thee 1 

8 Have I not always esteem- 
ed thee as a lady 1 Have I not 
always reverenced thee as a sis- 
ter ? Why then dost thou imagine 
these wicked things against me 1 

9 Then she, smiling upon me, 
said, The desire of naughtiness 
has risen up in thy heart. Does 
it not seem to thee to be an ill 
thing for a righteous man to 
have an evil desire rise up in his 
heart 1 

10 It is indeed a sin, and that 
a very great one, to such a one ; 
for a righteous man thinketh 
that which is righteous. And 
whilst he does so, and walketh 
uprightly, he shall have the 
Lord in heaven favourable unto 
him in all his business. 

1 1 But as for those who think 
wickedly in their hearts, they 
take to themselves death and 
captivity ; and especially those 
who love this present world, and 
glory in their riches, and regard 
not the good things that are to 
come ; their souls wander up and 
down, and know not where to fix. 

» In MSS. Wilt thou accuse me ? 



12 Now this is the case of 
such as are double-minded, who 
trust not in the Lord, and de- 
spise and neglect their own life. 

13 But do thou pray unto the 
Lord, and he will heal thy sins, 
and the sins of thy whole house, 
and of all his saints. 

14 fl As soon as she had 
spoken these words, the heavens 
were shut, and I remained utter- 
ly swallowed up with sadness 
and fear; and said within my- 
self, If this be laid against me 
for sin, how can I be saved ? 

15 Or how shall I ever be 
able to entreat the Lord for my 
many and great sins? With 
what words shall I beseech him 
to be merciful unto me ? 

16 As I was thinking over 
these things, and meditating in 
myself upon them, behold a chair 
was set over against me of the 
whitest wool, as bright as 
snow. 

•17 And there came an old 
woman in a bright garment, hav- 
ing a book in her hand, and sat 
alone, and saluted me, saying, 
2 Hermas, hail ! And I, being 
full of sorrow, and weeping, an- 
swered, Hail, lady! 

18 And she said unto me, 
Why art thou sad, Hermas, who 
wert wont to be patient, and 
modest, and always cheerful ? 
I answered, and said to her, 
Lady, a reproach has been laid 
to my charge by an excellent 
woman, who tells me that I have 
sinned against her. 

19 She replied, Far be any 
such thing from the servant of 
God. But it may be the desire 

2 Vid. Hieron. in Hoseam, vii. 9. 

201 



The neglect 



I. HERMAS. 



of Hermas 



of her has risen up in thy heart 1 
For indeed such a thought mak- 
eth the servants of God guilty of 
sin; 

20 Nor ought such a detesta- 
ble thought to be in the servant 
of God ; nor should he who is 
approved by the Spirit desire 
that which is evil ; but especially 
Hermas, who contains himself 
from all wicked lusts, and is full 
of all simplicity, and of great in- 
nocence. 

21 fl Nevertheless the Lord is 
not so much angry with thee for 
thine own sake, as upon the ac- 
count of thy house, which has 
committed wickedness against 
the Lord, and against their par- 
ents. 

22 And for that out of thy 
fondness towards thy sons, thou 
hast not admonished thy house, 
but hast permitted them to live 
wickedly ; for this cause the 
Lord is angry with thee : but he 
will heal all the evils that are 
done in thy house. For through 
their sins and iniquities, thou 
art wholly consumed in secular 
affairs. 

23 But now the mercy of God 
hath taken compassion upon 
thee, and upon thy house, and 
hath 1 greatly comforted thee. 
Only as for thee, do not wander, 
but be of an even mind, and 
comfort thy house. 

24 As the workman, bringing 
forth his work, offers it to whom- 
soever he pleases ; so shalt thou, 
by teaching every day what is 
just, cut off a great sin. Where- 
fore cease not to admonish thy 



1 In Glory.— Edit. Oxon. 
served thee in honour. 

202 



Hath pre- 



sons, for the Lord knows that 
they will repent with all their 
heart, 2 and they shall be written 
in the book of life. 

25 And when she had said 
this, she added unto me, Wilt 
thou hear me read ? — I answer- 
ed her, Lady, I will. 

26 Hear, then, said she ; and 
opening the book, she read, glo~ 
riously, greatly, and wonderfully, 
such things as I could not keep 
in my memory. For they were 
terrible words, such as no man 
could bear. 

27 Howbeit I committed her 
last words to my remembrance ; 
for they were but few, and of 
great use to us. 

28 Behold the mighty Lord, 
who by his invisible power, and 
with his excellent wisdom, made 
the world, and by his glorious 
counsel beautified his creature, 
and with the word of his strength 
fixed the heaven, and founded 
the earth upon the waters ; and 
by his powerful virtue establish- 
ed his Holy Church, which he 
hath blessed. 

29 Behold, he will remove 
the heavens, and the mountains, 
the hills, and the seas; and all 
things shall be made plain for 
his elect ; that he may render 
unto them the promise which he 
has promised with much honour 
and joy ; if so be that they shall 
keep the commandments of God, 
which they have received with 
great faith. 

30 fl And when she had 
made an end of reading, she 
rose out of the chair ; and behold 

2 So MS. Lamb. Et describentur in 
libro vitse. 



to chastise 



VISION II. 



his children. 



four young men came, and car- 
ried the chair to the east. 

31 And she called me unto 
her, and touched my breast, and 
said unto me, Did my reading 
please thee 1 — I answered, Lady, 
these last things please me ; but 
what went before was severe and 
hard. 

32 She said unto me, These 
last things are for J the right- 
eous, but the foregoing for the 
revolters and heathen. 

33 And as she was talking 
with me, two men appeared, and 
took her upon their shoulders, 
and went to the east where the 
chair was. 

34 And she went cheerfully 
away ; and as she was going, 
said unto me, Hermas, be of 
good cheer. 

VISION II. 

Again, of his neglect in correcting his talka- 
tive wifo ; and of his lewd sons. 2 

AS I was on the way to 
Cuma, about the same 
time that I went the year before, 
I began to call to mind the vision 
I formerly had. And again the 
Spirit carried me away, and 
brought me into the same place, 
in which I had been the year 
before. 

2 And when I was come into 
the place, I fell down upon my 
knees, and began to pray unto 
the Lord, and to glorify his name, 
that he had esteemed me worthy, 
and had manifested unto me 
my former sins. 

3 And when I arose from 
prayer, behold I saw over against 
me the old woman whom I had 

1 Edit. Oxon. 

2 Et ejus modo. 



seen the last year, walking, and 
reading in a certain book. 

4 And she said unto me, 
Canst thou tell these things to 
the elect of God ? — I answered, 
and said unto her, Lady, I can- 
not retain so many things in my 
memory, but give me the book, 
and I will write them down. 

5 Take it, says she, and see 
that thou restore it again to me. 

6 As soon as I had received 
it, I went aside into a certain 
place of the field, and trans- 
scribed every letter, for I found 
no syllables. 

7 3 And as soon as I had fin- 
ished what was written in the 
book, the book was suddenly 
caught out of my hands, but by 
whom I saw not. 

8 fl After fifteen days, when 
I had fasted, and entreated the 
Lord with all earnestness, the 
knowledge of the writing was re- 
vealed unto me. Now the writ- 
ing was this : 

9 Thy seed, O Hermas ! hath 
sinned against the Lord, and 
have betrayed their parents, 
through their great wickedness. 
And they have been called the 
betrayers of their parents, and 
have gone on in their treachery. 

10 And now have they added 
lewdness to their other sins, and 
the pollutions of naughtiness : 
thus have they filled up the 
measure of their iniquities. But 
do thou 4 upbraid thy sons with 
all these words; and thy wife, 
which shall be thy sister ; and let 
her learn to refrain her tongue, 
with which she calumniates. 

3 Clem. Alex. Strom, vi. 
* Impropera. 

203 



Of his neglect 



I. HERMAS. 



to correct 



11 For when she shall hear 
these things, she will refrain 
herself, and shall obtain mercy. 

12 And 1 they also shall be 
instructed, when thou shalt have 
reproached them with these 
words, which the Lord has com- 
manded to be revealed unto thee. 

13 Then shall their sins be 
forgiven which they have hereto- 
fore committed, and the sins of 
all the saints, who have sinned 
even unto this day ; if they shall 
repent with all their hearts, and 
remove all doubts out of their 
hearts. 

14 For the Lord hath sworn 
by his glory concerning his 
2 elect, having determined this 
very time, that if any one shall 
8 even now sin, he shall not be 
saved. 

15 For the repentance of the 
righteous has its end : the days 
of repentance are fulfilled to all 
the saints ; but to the heathen, 
there is repentance even unto 
the last day. 

16 Thou shalt therefore say 
to those who are over the church ; 
that they order their ways in 
righteousness ; that they may 
fully receive the promise with 
much glory. 

17 Stand fast, therefore, ye 
that work righteousness ; and 
continue to do it, that your de- 
parture may be with the holy, 
angels. 

18 Happy are ye, as many as 
shall endure the great trial that 
is at hand, and whosoever shall 
not deny his life. 

1 So one MS. in Coteler. Edit. Oxon. 
And she, &c. 

2 Day. Praefinita ista die etiana nunc 
si peccaverit aliquis. Lat. 

204 



19 For the Lord hath sworn 
by his Son, that whoso denieth 
his Son and him, being afraid of 
his life, he will also deny him 
in the 4 world that is to come. 

20 But those who shall never 
deny him, he will of his exceed- 
ing great mercy be favourable 
unto them. 

21 fl But thou, O Hermas! 
remember not the 5 evils which 
thy sons have done, neither neg- 
lect thy sister, but take care that 
they amend of their former sins.' 

22 For they will be instructed 
by this doctrine, if thou shalt not 
be mindful of what they have 
done wickedly. 

23 For the remembrance of 
evils worketh death ; but the for- 
getting of them, life eternal. 

24 But thou, O Hermas ! hast 
undergone a great many worldly 
troubles for the offences of thy 
house, because thou hast neg- 
lected thenij as things that did 
not belong unto thee : and thou 
art wholly taken up with thy 
great business. 

25 Nevertheless, for this cause 
shalt thou be saved, that thou 
hast not departed from the living 
God ; and thy simplicity and 
singular continency shall pre- 
serve thee, if thou shalt continue 
in them. 

26 Yea, they shall save all 
such as do such things; and 
walk in innocence and simpli- 
city. 

27 They who are of this kind, 
shall prevail against all impiety, 
and continue unto life eternal. 

3 Shall sin after it. 

4 Days that are coming. 

5 Injuries. 



his talkative 



VISION III. 



wife, 



28 Happy are ail tney that do 
righteousness ; they shall not be 
consumed for ever. 

29 But thou wilt say, Behold 
there is a great trial coming. If 
it seems good to thee, deny him 
again. 

30 The Lord is nigh to them 
that turn to him, as it is written 
in the books of * Held am and 
Modal, who prophesied to the 
people of Israel in the wilderness. 

31 ff Moreover, brethren, it 
was revealed to me, as I was 
sleeping by a very goodly young 
man, saying unto me, What 
thinkest thou of that old woman 
from whom thou receivedst the 
book 1 who is she 1 — I answer- 
ed, a Sybil. 

32 Thou art mistaken, said 
he ; she is not. I replied, Who 
is she, then, sir ? — He answered 
me, It is the church of God. 

33 And I said unto him, Why 
then does she appear old ] She 
is therefore, said he, an old wo- 
man, because she was 2 the first 
of all the creation, and the world 
was made for her. 

34 After this I saw a vision 
at home in my own house, and 
the old woman, whom I had seen 
before, came to me, and asked 
me whether I had yet delivered 
3 her book to the elders of the 
church. And I answered, that 
I had not yet. 

35 She replied, Thou hast 
well done; for I have certain 
words more to tell thee. But 
when I shall have finished all 



Eldad and Medad. Numb. xi. 26, 27. 
2 See Dr. Grabe's Annot. to bishop 
Bull's Def. Fid. Nic. p. 24. Fol. de S. 
Henna. 

18 



the words, they shall be clearly 
understood by the elect. 

36 4 And thou shalt write two 
books, and send one to Clement, 
and one to Grapte. For Clem- 
ent shall send it to the foreign 
cities, because it is permitted 
to him so to do : but Grapte shall 
admonish the widows and or- 
phans. 

37 But thou shalt read in this 
city with the elders of the church. 

VISION III. 

Of the building of the church triumphant ; 
and of the several sorts of reprobates. 

THE vision which I saw, 
brethren, was this. 

2 When I had often fasted 
and prayed unto the Lord, that 
he would manifest unto me the 
revelation which he had promis- 
ed by the old woman to show 
unto me ; the same night she ap- 
peared unto me, and said unto 
me, 

3 Because thou dost thus af- 
flict thyself, and art so desirous 
to know all things, come into 
the field, where thou wilt, and 
about the sixth hour, I will ap- 
pear unto thee, and show thee 
what thou must see. 

4 I asked her, saying, Lady, 
into what part of the field 1 She 
answered, Wherever thou wilt; 
only choose a good and a private 
place. And before I began to 
speak and to tell her the place, 
she said unto me, I will come 
where thou wilt. 

5 I was therefore, brethren, 
in the field, and I observed the 



3 Suum is; 

4 Origeuc't 



i.dded in the Lambeth MS. 
hilo. cal. cap. 1. 



205 



Of the 



I. HERMAS. 



building 



hours, and came into the place 
where I had appointed her to 
come. 

6 And I beheld a bench 
placed; it was a linen pillow, 
and over it spread a covering of 
fine linen. 

7 When I saw these things 
ordered in this manner, and that 
there was nobody in the place, I 
began to be astonished, and my 
hair stood on end, and a kind of 
horror seized me ; for I was 
alone. 

8 But being come to myself, 
and calling to mind the glory of 
God, and taking courage, I fell 
down upon my knees, and began 
again to confess my sins as be- 
fore. 

9 And whilst I was doing 
this, the old woman came thith- 
er with the six young men 
whom I had seen before, and 
stood behind me as I was pray- 
ing, and heard me praying and 
confessing my sins unto the 
Lord. 

10 And, touching me, she 
said, Leave off now to pray only 
for thy sins ; pray also for right- 
eousness, that thou mayest re- 
ceive a part of her in thy house. 

11 And she lifted me up from 
the place, and took me by the 
hand, and brought me to the 
seat ; and said to the young men, 
Go, and build. 

12 As soon as they were de- 
parted, and we were alone, she 
said unto me, Sit here. I an- 
swered her, Lady, let those who 
are elder sit first. She replied, 
Sit down as I bid yo;i. 

13 And when I 'v»?uld'have 
sat on the right side, she suffe c \ 

206 



ed me not, but made a sign to 
me with her hand, that I should 
sit on the left. 

14 As I was therefore mus- 
ing, and full of sorrow, that she 
would not suffer me to sit on the 
right side, she said unto me, 
Hermas, why art thou sad ? 

15 The place which is on the 
right hand is theirs who have 
already attained unto God, and 
have suffered for his name sake. 
But there is yet a great deal re- 
maining unto thee, before thou 
canst sit with them. 

16 But continue, as thou 
doest, in thy sincerity, and thou 
shalt sit with them ; as all others 
shall, that do their works, and 
shall bear what they have borne. 

17 *[[ I said unto her, Lady, 
I would know what it is that 
they have suffered 1 Hear, then, 
said she : wild beasts, scourg- 
ings, imprisonments, and crosses, 
for his name sake. 

18 For this cause the right 
hand of holiness belongs to them, 
and to all others as many as 
shall suffer for the name of God ; 
but the left belongs to the rest. 

19 Howbeit the gifts and the 
promises belong to both, to them 
on the right, and to those on the 
left hand ; only that sitting on 
the right hand they have some 
glory above the others. 

20 But thou art desirous to sit 
on the right hand with them ; 
and yet thy 1 defects are many. 
But thou shalt be purged from 
thy defects : as also all who doubt 
not, shall be cleansed from all 
the sins which they have com- 
mitted unto this day. 

1 Lat. Exig-uitates. 



of the church 



VISION III. 



triumphant, 



21 And when she had said 
this, she would have departed ; 

22 Wherefore, falling down 
before her feet, I began to en- 
treat her, for the Lord's sake, 
that she would show me the 
vision which she had promised. 

23 Then she again took me 
by the hand, and lifted me up, 
and made me sit upon the seat 
on the left side ; and holding up 
a certain bright wand, said unto 
me, Seest thou that great thing ? 
I replied, Lady, I see nothing. 

24 She answered, Dost thou 
not see over against thee a great 
tower, which is built upon the 
water with bright square stones. 

25 For the tower was built 
upon a square by those six young 
men that came with her. 

26 But many thousands of 
other men brought stones : some 
drew them out of the deep; 
others carried them from the 
ground, and gave them to the six 
young men. And they took 
them, and built. 

27 As for those stones which 
were drawn out of the deep, 
they put them all into the build- 
ing ; for they were polished, and 
their squares exactly answered 
one another, and so one was join- 
ed in such wise to the other, that 
there was no space to be seen 
where they joined : insomuch 
that the whole tower appeared to 
be built as it were of one stone. 

28 But as for the other stones 
that were taken off from the 
ground, some of them they re- 
jected, others they fitted into the 
building. 

29 As for those which were 
rejected, some they cut out, and 



cast them at a distance from the 
tower : but many others of them 
lay round about the tower, which 
they made no use of in the build- 
ing. 

30 For some of these were 
rough, others had clefts in them ; 
others were white and round, 
not proper for the building of the 
tower. 

31 But I saw the other stones 
cast afar off from the tower, and 
falling into the highway, and yet 
not continuing in the way, but 
were rolled from the way into a 
desert place. 

32 Others I saw falling into 
the fire and burning : others fell 
near the water, yet could not 
roll themselves into it, though 
very desirous to fall into the 
water. 

33 ff And when she had 
showed me these things, she 
would have departed. But I said 
unto her, Lady, what doth it prof- 
it me to see these things, and 
not understand what they mean 1 

34 She answered and said 
unto me, You are very cunning, 
in that you are desirous to know 
those things which l relate to the 
tower. Yea, said I, lady, that 
I may declare them unto the 
brethren ; and they may rejoice, 
and hearing these things may 
glorify God with great glory. 

35 Then she said, Many in- 
deed shall hear them, and when 
they shall have heard them, 
some shall rejoice, and others 
weep. And yet even these, if 
they shall repent, shall rejoice too. 

36 Hear, therefore, what I 
shall say concerning the parable 

1 Are about. 

207 



and of 



1. HERMAS. 



several 



of the tower, ^and after this be 
no longer importunate with me 
about the revelation. 

37 For these revelations have 
an end, seeing they are fulfilled. 
But thou dost not leave off to 
desire revelations; for thou art 
very x urgent. 

38 As for the tower which 
thou seest built, it is I myself, 
namely, the church ; which have 
appeared to thee both now and 
heretofore. Wherefore ask what 
thou wilt concerning the tower, 
and I will reveal it unto thee, 
that thou mayest rejoice with the 
saints. 

39 I said unto her, Lady, be- 
cause thou hast thought me once 
worthy to receive from thee the 
revelation of all these things, 
declare them unto me. 

40 She answered me, What- 
soever is fit to be revealed unto 
thee, shall be revealed : 2 only 
let thy heart be with the Lord, 
and doubt not, whatsoever thou 
shalt see. 

41 I asked her, Lady, why is 
the tower built upon the 3 water ? 
She replied, I said before to thee 
that thou wert very wise, to in- 
quire diligently concerning the 
building ; therefore thou shalt 
find the truth. 

42 Hear therefore why the 
tower is built upon the water: 
because your life is and shall be 
saved by water. For 4 it is 
founded by the word of the al- 
mighty and honourable name; 
and is supported by the invisible 
power and virtue of God. 

43 fl" And I answering, said 

Edit. Oxon. 
2 Clem. Alex. Strom, xii. 

208 



unto her, These things are v s ery 
admirable : but, lady, who are 
those six young men that 
build 1 

44 They are, said she, the 
angels of God, which were first 
appointed, and to whom the 
Lord has delivered all his crea- 
tures, to frame and build them 
up, and to rule over them. For 
by these the building of the 
tower shall be finished. 

45 And who are the rest who 
bring them stones ? 

46 They also are the holy 
angels of the Lord ; but the other 
are more excellent than these. 
Wherefore, when the whole 
building of the tower shall be 
finished, they shall all feast to- 
gether beside the tower, and 
shall glorify God, because the 
structure of the tower is finished. 

47 I asked her, saying, I 
would know the condition of the 
stones, and the meaning of them ; 
what it is 1 

48 She answering, said unto 
me, Art thou better than all 
others, that this should be re- 
vealed unto thee? For others 
are both before thee, and better 
than thou art, to whom these 
visions should be made manifest : 

- 49 Nevertheless, that the name 
of God may be glorified, it has 
been, and shall be revealed unto 
thee, for the sake of those who 
are doubtful, and think in their 
hearts whether these things are 
so or not. 

50 Tell them that all these 
things ere true ; and that there 
is nothing in them that is not 



3 Baptism. 

<* Namely, the tower 



SOJ'tS of 



VISION III. 



reprobates. 



true ; but all are firm, and truly 
established. 

51 ft Hear now, then, con- 
cerning the stones that are in 
the building. 

52 The square and white 
stones, which agree exactly in 
their joints, are the apostles, 
and bishops, and doctors, and 
ministers ; who through the mer- 
cy of God have come in, and 
governed, and taught, and min- 
istered holily and modestly to 
the elect of God, both they that 
are fallen asleep, and which yet 
remain ; and have always agreed 
with them, and have had peace 
within themselves, and have 
heard each other. 

53 For which cause their 
joints exactly meet together in 
the building of the tower. 

54 They which are drawn 
out of the deep and put into the 
building, and whose joints agree 
with the other stones which are 
already built, are those which 
are already fallen asleep, and 
have suffered for the sake of the 
Lord's name. 

55 And what are the other 
stones, lady, that are brought 
from the earth ? I would know 
what they are. 

56 She answered, They which 
lie upon the ground, and are not 
polished, are those which God 
has approved, because they have 
walked in 1 the law of the Lord, 
and directed their ways in his 
commandments. 

57 They which are brought 
and put in the building of the 
tower, are the young in faith and 
the faithful. And these are ad- 

1 Insequitatem Domini. Lat. 

18* 



monished by the angels to do 
well, because that iniquity is not 
found in them. 

58 But who are those whom 
they rejected, and laid beside 
the tower ? 

59 They are such as have 
sinned, and are willing to re- 
pent ; for which cause they are 
not cast far from the tower, be- 
cause they will be useful for the 
building, if\hey shall repent. . 

60 They therefore that are 
yet to repent, if they shall repent, 
shall become strong in the faith ; 
that is, if they repent now, whilst 
the tower is building. For if 
the building shall be finished, 
there will then be no place for 
them to be put in, but they shall 
be rejected : for he only has this 
privilege, who shall now be put 
into the tower. 

61 ft But would you know 
who they are that were cut out, 
and cast afar off from the tower ? 
2 Lady, said I, I desire it. 

62 They are the children of 
iniquity, who believed only in 
hypocrisy, but departed not from 
their evil ways : for this cause 
they shall not be saved, because 
they are not of any use in the 
building by reason of their sins. 

63 Wherefore they are cut 
out, and cast afar off, because 
of the anger of the Lord, and 
because they have provoked him 
to anger against them. 

64 As for the great number 
of other stones which thou hast 
seen placed about the tower, 
but not put into the building ; 
those which are rugged, are they 
who have known the truth ; but 

2 Vid. Edit. Oxon. 

209 



Of 



I. HERMAS. 



the 



have not continued in it, nor 
been joined to the saints ; and 
therefore are unprofitable. 

65 Those that have clefts in 
them, are they who keep up dis- 
cord in their hearts against each 
other, and live not in peace; 
that are friendly when present 
with their brethren ; but as soon 
as they are departed from one 
another, their wickedness still 
continues in their hearts : these 
are the clefts which are seen in 
those stones. 

66 Those that are maimed 
and short, are they who have 
believed indeed ; but still are in 
great measure full of wicked- 
ness; for this cause are they 
maimed and not whole. 

67 But what are the white 
and round stones, lady, and 
which are not proper for the 
building of the tower ? 

68 She answering, said unto 
me, How long wilt thou continue 
foolish and without understand- 
ing; asking every thing, and 
discerning nothing ? 

69 They are such as have 
faith indeed; but have withal 
the riches of this present world. 
When, therefore, any * troubles 
arise, for the sake of their riches 
and traffic, they deny the 
Lord. 

70 I answering, said unto 
her, "When, therefore, will they 
be profitable to the Lord ? When 
their riches shall be cut away, 
aays she, in which they take de- 
light, then they will be profitable 
unto the Lord for his building. 

71 For as a round stone, un- 
less it be cut away, and cast 

1 Tribulation arises. 

210 



somewhat off, its bulk cannot be 
made square; so they who are 
rich in this world, unless their 
riches be pared off, cannot be 
made profitable unto the Lord. 

72 Learn this from thy own 
experience : when thou wert rich, 
thou wast unprofitable ; but now 
thou art profitable, and fit for the 
life which thou hast undertaken ; 
for thou also once wast one of 
those stones. 

73 fl As for the rest of the 
stones which thou sawest cast 
afar off from the tower, and run- 
ning in the way ; and tumbled 
out of the way into desert places ; 
they are such as have believed 
indeed, but through their doubt- 
ing have forsaken the true way, 
thinking that they could find a 
better. But they wander, and 
are miserable, going into deso- 
late ways. 

74 Then for those stones 
which fell into the fire, and were 
burnt ; they are those who have 
2 for ever departed from the liv- 
ing God, nor doth it ever come 
into their hearts to repent, by 
reason of the affection which 
they bear to their lusts and 
wickednesses which they com- 
mit. 

75 And what are the rest 
which fell by the water, and 
could not roll into the water ? 

76 They are such as have 
heard the word ; and were will- 
ing to be baptized in the name 
of the Lord ; but considering 
the great holiness which the 
truth requires, have withdrawn 
themselves, and walked again 
after their wicked lusts. 

2 Finally. 



building 



VISION III. 



of the 



77 Thus she finished the ex- 
plication of the tower. 

78 But I, being still urgent, 
asked her : Is there repentance 
allowed to all those stones which 
are thus cast away, and were 
not suitable to the building of 
the tower ; and shall they find 
place in this tower ? 

79 They may repent, said 
she, but they cannot come into 
this tower ; but they shall be 
placed in a much lower rank ; 
and this after that they shall 
have been afflicted, and fulfilled 
the days of their sins. 

80 And for this cause they 
shall be removed, because they 
have received the word of right- 
eousness : and then they shall 
be translated from their afflic- 
tions, if they shall have a true 
sense in their hearts of what 
they have done amiss. 

81 But if they shall not have 
this sense in their hearts, they 
shall not be saved, by reason of 
the hardness of their hearts. 

82 fl When therefore I had 
done asking her concerning all 
these things, she said unto me, 
Wilt thou see somewhat else 1 
And being desirous of seeing it, 
I became very cheerful of coun- 
tenance. 

83 She, therefore, looking 
back upon me, and smiling a 
little, said unto me, Seest thou 
seven women about the tower ? 
Lady, said I, I see them. 

84 This tower, replied she, is 
supported by them, according to 
the command of the Lord : hear 
therefore the effects of them. 

85 The first of them, which 
holds fast with her hand, is called 



Faith : by her the elect shall be 
saved. The next, which is girt 
up, and looks manly, is named 
Abstinence : she is the daughter 
of Faith. 

86 Whosoever, therefore, shall 
follow her, shall be happy in all 
his life ; because he shall abstain 
from all evil works, believing 
that if he shall contain himself 
from all concupiscence, he shall 
be the heir of eternal life. And 
what, lady, said I, are the other 
five? 

87 They are, replied she, the 
daughters of one another. The 
first of them is called Simplicity ; 
the next Innocence ; the third 
Modesty ; then Discipline ; and 
the last of all is Charity. When, 
therefore, thou shalt have ful- 
filled the works of their mother, 
thou shalt be able to do all 
things. 

88 Lady, said I, I would 
know what particular virtue 
every one of these has. 

89 Hear, then, replied she ; 
they have equal virtues, and 
their virtues are knit together, 
and follow one another as they 
were born. 

90 From Faith proceeds Ab- 
stinence ; from Abstinence, Sim- 
plicity ; from Simplicity, Inno- 
cence ; from Innocence, Mod- 
esty ; from Modesty, Discipline 
and Charity. Therefore the 
works of these are holy, and 
chaste, and right. 

91 Whosoever, therefore, shall 
serve these, and hold fast to 
their works, he shall have his 
dwelling in the tower with the 
saints of God. 

92 Then I asked her con* 

211 



church 



I. HERMAS. 



triumphant, 



cerning the times, whether the 
end were now at hand. 

93 But she cried out with a 
loud voice, saying, O foolish 
man! Dost thou not see the 
tower yet a building? When, 
therefore, the tower shall be fin- 
ished, and built, it shall have an. 
end, and indeed it shall soon be 
accomplished. 

94 But do not ask me any 
more questions. What has been 
said may suffice thee and all the 
saints; for the refreshment of 
your spirits. For these things 
have not been revealed to thee 
only, but that thou mayest make 
them manifest unto all. 

95 For therefore, O Hermas ! 
after three days thou must un- 
derstand these words which I 
begin to speak unto thee, that 
thou mayest speak them in the 
ears of the saints ; that when 
they shall have heard and done 
them, they may be cleansed from 
their iniquities, and thou togeth- 
er with them. 

96 1] Hear me, therefore, O 
my sons ! I have bred you up in 
much simplicity, and innocency, 
and modesty, for the mercy of 
God, which has dropped down up- 
on you in righteousness, that you 
should be sanctified, and justi- 
fied from all sin and wicked- 
ness : but ye will not cease from 
your evil doings. 

97 Now, therefore, hearken 
unto me, and have peace one 
with another, and visit one an- 
other, and receive one another, 
and do not enjoy the creatures 
of God alone. 

98 Give freely to them that 
are in need. For some by too 

212 



freely feeding contract an in- 
firmity in their flesh, and do in- 
jury to their bodies ; whilst the 
flesh of others, who have not 
food, withers away, because they 
want sufficient nourishment, and 
their bodies are consumed. 

99 Wherefore this intemper- 
ance is hurtful to you, who have, 
and do not communicate to 
them that want. Prepare for 
the judgment that is about to 
come upon you. • 

100 Ye that are the more 
eminent, search out them that 
are hungry, whilst the tower is 
yet unfinished. For when the 
tower shall be finished, ye shall 
be willing to do good, and shall 
not find any place in it. 

101 Beware, therefore, ye that 
glory in your riches, lest perhaps 
they groan who are in want ; 
and their sighing come up unto 
God, and ye be shut out with 
your goods without the gate of 
the tower. 

102 Behold I now warn you 
who are set over the church, and 
love the highest seats ; be not 
ye like unto those that work 
mischief. 

103 And they indeed carry 
about their poison in boxes ; but 
ye contain your poison and l in- 
fection in your hearts ; and will 
not purge them, and mix your 
sense with a pure heart, that ye 
may find mercy with the Great 
King. 

104 Take heed, my children, 
that your dissensions deprive 
you not of your lives. How 
will ye instruct the elect of God, 
when ye yourselves want cor- 

1 Medicaments. 



and of 



VISION III. 



several 



rection? Wherefore admonish 
one another, and be at peace 
among yourselves ; that I, stand- 
ing before your father, may give 
an account for you unto the 
Lord. 

105 ft And when she had 
made an end of talking with 
me, the six young men that 
built, came and carried her to 
the tower ; and four others took 
up the seat on which she sat, 
and they also went away again 
to the tower. I saw not the faces 
of these, for their backs were to- 
wards me. 

106 As she was going away, 
I asked her that she would re- 
veal to me what concerned the 
three forms, in which she had 
appeared unto me. 

107 But she answering said 
unto me, Concerning these 
things thou must ask some 
other, that they may be revealed 
unto thee. 

108 Now, brethren, in the 
first vision the last year, she ap- 
peared unto me exceeding old, 
and sitting in a chair. 

109 In another vision, she 
had indeed a youthful face, but 
her flesh and hair were old; 
and she talked with me stand- 
ing, and was more cheerful than 
the first time. 

110 In the third vision, she 
was in all respects much young- 
er, and comely to the eye ; only 
she had the hair of an aged per- 
son : yet she looked cheerful, 
and sat upon a seat. 

111 I was therefore very 
sad concerning these things, 
until I might understand the 
vision. 



112 Wherefore I saw the 
same old woman in a vision 
of the night saying unto me, 
All prayer needeth humiliation. 
Fast, therefore, and thou shalt 
learn from the Lord that which 
thou dost ask. I fasted, there- 
fore, one day. 

113 The same night a young 
man appeared to me, and said, 
Why dost thou thus often desire 
revelations in thy prayers? 
Take heed that by asking many 
things, thou hurt not thy body. 
Let these revelations suffice 
thee. 

114 Canst thou see more 
notable revelations than those 
which thou hast already re- 
ceived 1 

115 I answered and said unto 
him, Sir, I only ask this one 
thing upon the account of the 
three figures of the old woman 
that appeared to me, that the 
revelation may be complete. 

116 He answered me, You 
are not without understanding, 
but your doubts make you so ; 
forasmuch as you have not your 
heart with the Lord. 

117 I replied, and said, But 
we shall learn these things more 
carefully from you. 

118 If Hear, then, says he, 
concerning the figures, about 
which you inquire. 

119 And first, in the first 
vision she appeared to thee in 
the shape of an old woman sit- 
ting in a chair ; because your 
old spirit was decayed, and 
without strength, by reason of 
your infirmities, and the doubt- 
fulness of your heart. 

120 For as they who are old 

213 



sorts of 



I. HERMAS. 



reprobates. 



have no hope of renewing them- 
selves, nor expect any thing but 
their departure ; so you, being 
weakened through your worldly 
affairs, gave yourself up to sloth, 
and cast not away your solici- 
tude from yourself upon the 
Lord ; and your sense was 
1 confused, and you grew old in 
your sadness. 

121 But, sir, I would know 
why she sat upon a chair ? 

122 He answered, because 
every one that is weak, sitteth 
upon a chair by reason of his 
infirmity, that his weakness 
may be upheld : Behold there- 
fore the figure of the first vision. 

123 fl In the second vision 
you saw her standing, and hav- 
ing a youthful face, and more 
cheerful than her former ; but 
her flesh and her hair were an- 
cient. Hear, said he, this par- 
able also. 

124 When any one grows 
old, he despairs of himself by 
reason of his infirmity and pov- 
erty ; and expects nothing but 
the last day of his life. 

125 But on a sudden an in- 
heritance is left to him ; and he 
hears of it, and rises ; and being 
become cheerful, he puts on new 
strength. And now he no longer 
sits down, but stands; and is 
delivered from his former sor- 
row ; and sits not, but acts 
manfully. 

126 So you, having heard 
the revelation which God re- 
vealed unto you, because God 
had compassion upon you, and 
renewed your spirit, both laid 

1 Broken, Contusus. 

214 



aside your infirmities, and 
strength came to you, and you 
grew strong in the faith; and 
God, seeing your strength, re- 
joiced. 

127 For this cause he showed 
you the building of the tower ; 
and will show other things unto 
you, if you shall have peace with 
all your heart among each other. 

128 ft But in the third vision 
you saw her yet younger ; 2 fair 
and cheerful, and of a serene 
countenance. 

129 For as if some good 
news comes to one that is sad, 
he straightway forgets his sad- 
ness, and regards nothing else 
but the good news which he has 
heard ; and for the rest he is 
comforted, and his spirit is re- 
newed through the joy which he 
has received : even so you have 
been refreshed in your spirit, by 
seeing these good things. 

130 And for that you saw 
her sitting upon a bench, it de- 
notes a strong position ; because 
a bench has four feet, and stands 
strongly. And even the world 
itself is upheld by the four 
elements. 

131 They, therefore, that re- 
pent perfectly, shall be young ; 
and. they that turn from their 
sins with their whole heart, shall 
be established. 

132 And now you have the 
revelation fully; ask no more 
to have any thing further re- 
vealed unto you. 

133 But if any thing be to be 
revealed, it shall be made mani- 
fest unto you. 

2 Honestam. 



Of the 



VISION IV. 



trial and 



VISION IV. 



Of the trial and tribulation that is about to 
come upon men. 

I SAW a vision, brethren, 
twenty days after the former 
vision; a representation of the 
tribulation that is at hand. I 
was walking in the field away. 

2 Now from the public way 
to the place whither I went is 
about ten furlongs ; it is a way 
very little frequented : 

3 And as I was walking alone, 
I entreated the Lord that he 
would confirm the revelations 
which he had showed unto me 
by his Holy Church ; 

4 And would grant repent- 
ance to all his servants, who 
had been offended, that his 
great and honourable name 
might be glorified ; and because 
he thought me worthy 1 to whom 
he might show his wonders ; and 
that I might honour him, and 
give thanks unto him. 

5 And behold somewhat like 
a voice answered me : Doubt 
not, Hermas. Wherefore I be- 
gan to think, and say within 
myself, Why should I doubt, 
seeing I am thus settled by the 
Lord, and have seen such glori- 
ous things? 

6 I had gone but a little far- 
ther, brethren, when behold I 
saw a dust rise up to heaven. 
I began to say within myself, Is 
there a drove of cattle coming, 
that raises such a dust ? 

7 It was about a furlong off 
from me. And behold I saw 
the dust rise more and more, 
insomuch that I began to sus- 

1 That he would show me. 

2 Aliquod divinitus. 



pect that there was 2 somewhat 
extraordinary in it. 

8 And the sun shone a little ; 
and behold I saw a great beast, 
as it were a whale ; and fiery 
locusts came out of his mouth. 
The height of the beast was 
about a hundred feet; and he 
had a head like a 3 large earthen 
vessel. 

9 I began to weep, and to 
pray unto the Lord, that he 
would deliver me from it, Then 
I called to mind the word which 
I had heard : Doubt not, Her- 
mas. 

10 Wherefore, brethren, put- 
ting on a divine faith, and re- 
membering who it was that had 
taught me great things, I deliv- 
ered myself boldly unto the 
beast. 

11 Now the beast came on 
in such a manner, as if it could 
4 at once have devoured a city. 

12 I came near unto it ; and 
the beast extended its wholo 
bulk upon the ground ; and put 
forth nothing but its tongue, nor 
once moved itself, till I had 
quite passed by it. 

13 Now the beast had upon 
its head four colours, first black, 
then a red and bloody colour, 
then a golden, and then a white, 

14 ^[ After that I had passed 
by it, and was gone forward 
about thirty foot, behold there 
met me a certain virgin well 
adorned, as if she had been just 
come out of her bride-chamber ; 
all in white, having on white 
shoes, and a veil down her face, 
and covered with shining hair 

3 Vas urnale. 
* Inictu. 

215 



tribulation 



I. HERMAS. 



to come. 



15 Now I knew by my for- 
mer visions that it was the 
Church; and thereupon grew 
the more cheerful. She saluted 
me, saying, Hail, O man ! I re- 
turned the salutation, saying, 
Lady, hail ! 

16 She answering, said unto 
me, Did nothing meet you, O 
man ? I replied, Lady, there met 
me such a beast, as seemed able 
to devour a whole people; but 
by the power of God, and 
through his singular mercy, I es- 
caped it. 

17 Thou didst escape it well, 
said she ; because thou didst cast 
thy whole care upon God ; and 
openedest thy heart unto him ; 
believing that thou couldst be 
safe by no other, than by his 
great and honourable name. 

18 For this cause the Lord 
sent his angel, who is over the 
beast, whose name is Hegrin, 
and stopped his mouth that he 
should not devour thee. Thou 
hast escaped a great trial through 
thy faith, and because thou didst 
not doubt for such a terrible beast. 

19 Go, therefore, and relate 
to the elect of God, the great 
things that he hath done for thee. 
And thou shalt say unto them, 
that this beast is the figure of 
the trial that is about to come. 

20 If, therefore, ye shall have 
prepared yourselves, ye may es- 
cape it, if your heart be pure 
and without spot ; and if ye shall 
serve God all the rest of your 
days without complaint. 

21 Cast all your cares upon 
the Lord, and he will direct 
them ; believe in God, ye doubt- 
ful, because he can do all 

216 



things; he can both turn away 
his wrath from you, and send 
you help and security. 

22 Wo to the doubtful, to those 
who shall hear these words, and 
shall despise them : it had been 
better for them that they had 
not been born. 

23 fl Then I asked her con- 
cerning the four colours which 
the beast had upon its head. 
But she answered me, saying, 
Again thou art curious in that 
thou askest concerning these 
things. And I said unto her, 
Lady, show me what they are. 

24 Hear, said she ; The black 
which thou sawest, denotes the 
world in which you dwell. The 
fiery and bloody colour, signi- 
fies, that this age must be de- 
stroyed by fire and blood. 

25 The golden part are ye, 
who have escaped out of it. 
For as gold is tried by the fire, 
and is made profitable, so are ye 
also in like manner tried who 
dwell among the men of this 
world. 

26 They, therefore, that shall 
endure to the end, and be prov- 
ed by them, shall be purged. 
And as gold, by this trial, is 
cleansed, and loses its dross, so 
shall ye also cast away all sor- 
row and trouble ; and be made 
pure for the building of the 
tower. 

27 But the white colour de- 
notes the time of the world 
which is to come, in which the 
elect of God shall dwell; be- 
cause the elect of God shall be 
pure and without spot unto life 
eternal. 

28 Wherefore do not thou 



Introduction to 



II. HERMAS. 



the second book. 



cease to speak these things in 
the ears of the saints. Here ye 
have the figure of the great trib- 
ulation that is about to come; 
which, if you please, shall be 
nothing to you. Keep therefore 
in mind the things which I have 
said unto you. 



29 When she had spoken 
thus much, she departed ; but I 
saw not whither she went. But 
suddenly I heard a noise, and I 
turned back, being afraid ; for I 
thought that the beast was com- 
ing toward me. 



The Second Book of HERMAS, 
MANDS. 



called his COM- 



fl Introduction. 

WHEN I had prayed at 
home, and was sat down 
upon the bed, a certain man 
came in to me with a reverend 
look, in the habit of a shepherd, 
clothed with a white cloak, hav- 
ing his bag upon his back, and 
his staff in his hand, and saluted 
me. 

2 I returned his salutation ; 
and immediately he sat down by 
me, and said unto me, I am 
sent by that venerable messen- 
ger, that I should dwell with 
thee all the remaining days of 
thy life. 

3 But I thought that he was 
come to try me, and said unto 
him, Who are you ? For I 
know to whom I am committed. 
He said unto me, Do you not 
know me 1 I answered, No. I 
am, said he, that shepherd, to 
whose care you are delivered. 

4 Whilst he was yet speaking, 
his shape was changed; and 
when I knew that it was he to 
whom I was committed, I was 

19 



ashamed, and a sudden fear 
came upon me, and I was utter- 
ly overcome with sadness, be- 
cause I had spoken so foolishly 
unto him. 

5 But he said unto me, 
Be not ashamed, but receive 
strength in thy mind, through 
the commands which I am 
about to deliver unto thee. For, 
said he, I am sent to show unto 
thee all those things again, 
which thou hast seen before; 
but especially such of them as 
may be of most use unto thee. 

6 And first of all write my 
Commands and Similitudes; the 
rest thou shalt so write as I shall 
show unto thee. But I there- 
fore bid thee first of all write 
my Commands and Similitudes, 
that by often reading of them, 
thou mayest the more easily 
1 keep them in memory. 

7 Whereupon I wrote his 
Commands and Similitudes, as 
he bade me. 

8 Which things if, when you 
have heard, ye shall observe to 

1 Observe them, Custodire. possis. Lat. 

217 



Of believing 



II. HERMAS. 



in one God. 



do them, and shall walk ac- 
cording to them, and exercise 
yourselves in them, with a pure 
mind, ye shall receive from the 
Lord those things which he has 
promised unto you. 

9 But if, having heard them, 
ye shall not repent, but shall 
still go on to add to your sins, 
1 ye shall be punished by him. 

10 All these things that 
shepherd, the angel of repent- 
ance, commanded me to write. 

COMMAND I. 

Of 2 believing in one God. 

FIRST of 3 all, believe that 
there is one God, who 
created and framed all things 
of nothing into a being. 

2 He comprehends all things, 
and is only immense, not to be 
comprehended by any. 

3 Who can neither be de- 
fined by any words, nor con- 
ceived by the mind. 

4 Therefore believe in him, 
and fear him ; and fearing him, 
4 abstain from all evil. 

5 Keep these things, and cast 
all 5 lust and iniquity far from 
thee ; and put on righteousness ; 
and thou shalt live to God, if 
thou shalt keep this command- 
ment. 

1 Adversa recipietis. 2 Faith. 

3 Irenaeus, 1. 1. c. 3. Origen de Princ. 
1. 1, c. 3. Euseb. Hist. Eccles. 1. 5. c. 3. 
Athanas. de Licarn. Verb., &c. 
" 4 Habe abstinentiam. 

5 Omnem concupiscentium et nequiti- 
am. MSS. Lamb, et Oxon. 

6 Lat. Have simplicity, and be inno- 
cent. 

7 Gr. 'Et tie /*>?, Kat cv atcovuv evo^os 
tarf 

8 So the Gr. and Lamb. MS. Parti- 
ceps eris peccati male loquentis, credens ; 
et tu habebis peccatum. 

218 



COMMAND II. 

That we must avoid detraction ; and do our 
alms-deeds with simplicity. 

HE said unto me, 6 Be inno- 
cent, and without disguise ; 
so shalt thou be like an infant 
who knows no malice, which 
destroys the life of man. 

2 Especially see that thou 
speak evil of none ; nor willing- 
ly hear any one speak evil of 
any. 

3 7 For if thou observest not 
this, thou also who hearest, 
shalt be 8 partaker of the sin of 
him that speaketh evil by be- 
lieving the slander, and thou 
also shalt have sin; because 
thou believedst him that spake 
evil of thy brother. 

4 9 Detraction is a pernicious 
thing; an inconstant, 10 evil 
spirit ; that never continues in 
peace, but is always in discord. 
11 Wherefore refrain thyself from 
it; and keep peace evermore 
with thy brother. 

5 Put on a holy 12 constancy, 
13 in which there are no sins, 
but all is full of joy ; and do 
good of thy labours. 

6 14 Give 15 without distinc- 
tion to all that are in want ; not 
doubting to whom thou givest. 

7 But give to all; for God 
will have us give to all, of 16 all 

9 Vid. Antioch. Horn. xxix. 

10 Demon. 

n The Greek hath ovv. 

12 Rather simplicity ; according* to the 
Greek reading, preserved by Athana- 
sius. 

13 Gr. in which there is no evil offence, 
but all things smooth and delightful, ev ots 
ovSev nooaKonna tartv Trovrjpov a\\a iravTa 
ofia\a Kat .\apa. 

14 Vid. Antioch. Horn, xcviii. 

15 Simply. 

16 Gr. ck ru)v ifiicov Supe^a row. MS. 
Lamb. De suis donis 



Against 



COMMAND III. 



detraction. 



his own gifts. They therefore 
that receive shall give an ac- 
count to God, both wherefore 
they received, and for what end. 

8 And they that receive with- 
out a real need, shall give an 
account for it ; but he that gives 
shall be innocent : 

9 For he has fulfilled his duty 
as he received it from God ; not 
making any choice to whom he 
should give, and to whom not. 
And this service he did with 
simplicity, and x to the glory of 
God. 

10 Keep therefore this com- 
mand according as I have de- 
livered it unto thee; that thy 
repentance may be found to be 
sincere, and that good may come 
to thy house ; and have a pure 
heart. 

COMMAND III. 

Of avoiding lying, and the repentance of Her- 
mas for his dissimulation. 

MOREOVER 2 he said unto 
me, Love truth, and let all 
the speech be true which pro- 
ceeds out of thy mouth ; 

2 That the spirit which the 
Lord hath given to dwell in thy 
flesh may be found true towards 
all men; and the Lord be glori- 
fied, who hath given such a spir- 
it unto thee; because God is 
true in all his words, and in him 
there is no lie. 

3 They therefore that lie, de- 
ny the Lord ; 3 and become rob- 
bers of the Lord ; 4 not render- 
ing to God what they received 
from him 



1 Gloriously to God. 

2 Antioch. Horn. lxvi. 

3 According to the Greek. 



4 For they received the spirit 
free from lying : if therefore 
they make that a liar, they defile 
what was committed to them by 
the Lord, and become deceivers. 

5 When I heard this, I wept 
bitterly. And when he saw me 
weeping, he said unto me, Why 
weepest thou ? And I said, Be- 
cause, sir, I doubt whether I can 
be saved. 

6 He asked me, Wherefore? 
I replied, Because, sir, I never 
spake a true word in my life; 
but always lived in dissimula- 
tion, and affirmed a lie for truth 
to all men ; and no man contra- 
dicted me, but all gave credit to 
my words. How then can I 
live, seeing I have done in this 
manner ? 

7 And he said unto me, 
Thou thinkest well and truly. 
For thou oughtest, as the ser- 
vant of God, to have walked in 
the truth, and not have joined 
an evil conscience with the 
spirit of truth ; nor have grieved 
the holy and true Spirit of God. 

8 And I replied unto him, 
Sir, I never before hearkened 
so diligently to these things. 
He answered, Now thou near- 
est them : Take care from 
henceforth, that even those 
things which thou hast formerly 
spoken falsely for the sake of 
thy business, may, 5 by thy pres- 
ent truth, receive credit. 

9 For even those things may 
be credited, if for the time to 
come thou shalt speak the truth ; 

4 See III. Hermas. Simil. ix. ver. 268 
et seq. 

5 Through these words. Lat. His 
verbis et ilia fidcm recipiant. 

219 



Of putting 



II. HERMAS. 



away 



and 1 by so doing thou mayest 
attain unto life. 

10 And whosoever shall 
hearken unto this command, 
and do it, and shall depart from 
all lying, he shall live unto God. 

COMMAND IV. 

Of putting away one's wife for adultery. 

FURTHERMORE, said he, 
I command thee, that thou 
keep 2 thyself chaste ; and that 
thou suffer not any thought 3 of 
any other marriage, or of forni- 
cation, to enter into thy heart : 
for such a thought produces a 
great sin. 

2 But be thou at all times 
mindful of the Lord, and thou 
shalt never sin. For if such 
an evil thought should arise in 
thy heart, thou shouldest be guil- 
ty of a great sin ; and they who 
do such things, follow the way 
of death. 

3 Look therefore to thyself, 
and keep thyself from such a 
thought : for where chastity re- 
mains in the heart of a right- 
eous man, there an evil thought 
ought never to arise. 

4 And I said unto him, Sir, 
suffer me to speak a little to you. 
He bade me say on. And I 
answered, Sir, if a man that is 
faithful in the Lord, shall have 
a wife, and shall catch her in 
adultery, doth a man sin that 
continueth to live still with her ? 

5 And he said unto me, As 
long as he is ignorant of her sin, 
he commits no fault in living 
with her: but if a man shall 
know his wife to have offended, 

1 If thou shalt keep the truth. 
B Chastity. 

220 



and she shall not repent of her 
sin, but go on still in her forni- 
cation, and a man shall continue 
nevertheless to live with her, he 
shall become guilty of her sin, 
and partake with her in her 
adultery. 

6 And I said unto him, 
What therefore is to be done, if 
the woman continues on in her 
sin ? He answered, Let her hus- 
band put her away, and let him 
continue by himself. But if he 
shall put away his wife and mar- 
ry another, he also doth commit 
adultery. 

7 And I said, What if the 
woman that is so put away, shall 
repent, and be willing to return 
to her husband 1 shall she not be 
received by him 1 He said unto 
me, Yes; and if her husband 
shall not receive her, he will 
sin ; and commit a great offence 
against himself : but he ought to 
receive the offender if she re- 
pents ; only not often. 

8 For to the servants of God 
there is but one repentance. 
And for this cause a man that 
putteth away his wife ought not 
to take another, because she 
may repent. 

9 This act is alike both 
in the man and in the woman. 
Now they commit adultefy, not 
only who pollute their flesh, but 
who also make an image. 4 If 
therefore a woman perseveres in 
any thing of this kind, and re- 
pents not, depart from her, and 
live not with her : otherwise 
thou also shalt be partaker of 
her sin. 

3 Another man's. 

4 See 1 Cor. vfi. 15. 



one's wife 



COMMAND IV. 



for adultery. 



10 But it is therefore com- 
manded that both the man and 
the woman should remain un- 
married, because such persons 
may repent. 

> 11 Nor do I in this adminis- 
ter any occasion for the doing 
of these things ; but rather that 
whoso has offended, should not 
offend any more. 

12 But for their former sins, 
God, who has the power of 
healing, will give a remedy : 
for he has the power of all 
things. 

13 fl I asked him again, and 
said, Seeing the Lord hath 
thought me worthy that thou 
shouldest dwell with me contin- 
ually; speak a few words unto 
me, because I understand noth- 
ing, and my heart is hardened 
through my former conversation ; 
and open my x understanding 
because I am very dull, and ap- 
prehend nothing at all. 

14 And he answering said 
unto me ; I am the 2 minister of 
repentance, and give 3 under- 
standing to all that repent. 
Does it not seem to thee to be 
4 a very wise thing to repent ? 
Because he that does so, gets 
great understanding. 

15 For he is sensible that he 
hath sinned and done wickedly 
in the sight of the Lord ; and 
he remembers 5 within himself 
that he has offended, and re- 
pents and does no more wicked- 
ly ; but does that which is good, 
and humbles his soul, and af- 
flicts it, because helms offended. 

1 Sense. s Propositus. 

3 See below, ver. 18 et seq. 

4 Great wisdom. 

& In his understanding. 

19* 



You see therefore that repent- 
ance is great wisdom. 

16 And I said unto him, 
For this cause, sir, I inquire 
diligently into all things, be- 
cause I am a sinner, that I may 
know what I must do that I 
may live ; because my sins are 
many. 

17 And he said unto me, 
Thou shalt live if thou shalt 
keep these my commandments. 
And whosoever shall hear and 
do these commands, shall live 
unto God. 

18 ft And I said unto him, 
I have even now heard from 
certain teachers that there is no 
other repentance beside that of 
baptism ; when we go down into 
the water, and receive the for- 
giveness of our sins ; and that 
after that, we must sin no more ; 
but live in 6 purity. 

19 And he said unto me, 
Thou hast 7 been rightly inform- 
ed. Nevertheless, seeing now 
thou inquirest diligently into all 
things, I will manifest this also 
unto thee, yet not so as to give 
any occasion of sinning either 
to those who shall hereafter be- 
lieve, or to those who have al- 
ready believed in the Lord. 

20 For neither they who have 
8 newly believed, or who shall 
hereafter believe, have any re- 
pentance of sins, but forgive- 
ness of them. 

21 But as to those who have 
been called to the faith, and 
since that are fallen into any 
gross sin, the Lord hath ap- 

6 Chastity. 

7 Rightly heard. 

8 MS. Lamb. Qui modo crediderunt, 
Who have just now believed. 

221 



Of sadness 



II. HERMAS. 



of heart, 



pointed repentance ; because 
God knoweth the thoughts of all 
men's hearts, and their infirmi- 
ties; and the manifold wicked- 
ness of the devil ; who is always 
contriving something against the 
servants of God ; and malicious- 
ly lays snares for them. 

22 Therefore our merciful 
Lord had compassion towards 
his creature, and appointed that 
repentance, and gave unto me 
the power of it. And therefore 
I say unto thee, If any one af- 
ter that great and holy calling 
shall be tempted by the devil 
and sin, he has one 1 repent- 
ance. But if he shall often sin 
and repent, it shall not profit 
such a one ; for he shall hardly 
live unto God. 

23 And I said, Sir, I am 
restored again to life since I 
have thus diligently hearkened 
to these commands. For I per- 
ceive, that if I shall not here- 
after add any more to my sins, I 
shall be saved. 

24 And he said, Thou shalt 
be saved ; and so shall all others, 
as many as shall observe these 
commandments. 

25 11 And again I said unto 
him, Sir, seeing thou hearest me 
patiently, show me yet one thing 
more. Tell me, saith he, what 
it is. 

26 And I said, If a husband 
or wife die, and the party which 
survives marry again, does he 

1 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. pp. 60, 
61. 

2 Vid. Not. Coteler. in loc. p. 64. B. C. 
Rom. vii. 3. Comp. l.Cor. vii. 

3 MS. Lamb, melius : Ex quo mihi tra- 
ditus es, That thou hast been delivered 
unto me, and I dwell, &c. 

222 



sin in so doing 1 2 He that mar- 
ries (says he) sins not : howbek 
if he shall remain single, he shall 
thereby gain to himself great 
honour before the Lord. 

27 Keep therefore thy chasti- 
ty and modesty ; and thou shalt 
live unto God. Observe from 
henceforth those things which I 
speak with thee, and command 
thee to observe; from the time 
3 that I have been delivered 
unto thee, and dwell in thy 
house. 

28 So shall thy former sins be 
forgiven, if thou shalt keep these 
my commandments. And in 
like manner shall all others be 
forgiven, who shall observe these 
my commandments. 

COMMAND V. 

Of the sadness of the heart, and of patience. 

BE patient, says he, and 
4 long-suffering ; so shalt 
thou have dominion over all 
wicked works, and shalt 5 fulfil 
all righteousness. 

2 For if thou shalt be patient, 
the Holy Spirit which dwelleth 
in thee shall be pure, and not be 
darkened by any evil spirit ; but 
being full of joy shall be en- 
larged, and feast 6 in the body in 
which it dwells, and 7 serve the 
Lord with joy, and in great 
peace. 

3 But if any 8 anger shall 
overtake thee, presently the Ho- 

4 Gr. ManpoQvpos. MS. Lamb. Ani- 
msequus. 5 Work. 

6 MS. L?mb. melius, Cum vase. Et 
Gr. [iETa tov cksvovs, with the body or 
vessel. 

7 Gr. AeiTovpyti rw Kvpta. 

8 0|u^;oXia. Gr. Bitterness of gall. 



and of 



COMMAND V. 



patience. 



ly Spirit which is in thee, will be 
straitened, and seek to depart 
from thee. 

4 For he is choked by the 
evil spirit ; and has not the 1 lib- 
erty of 2 serving the Lord as he 
would j for he is grieved by 
3 anger. 4 When therefore both 
these spirits dwell together, it is 
destructive to a man. 

5 As if one should take a little 
wormwood, and put it into a ves- 
sel of honey, the whole honey 
would be spoiled; and a great 
quantity of honey is corrupted 
by a very little wormwood, and 
loses the sweetness of honey, 
and is no longer acceptable to 
its Lord; because the whole 
honey is made bitter, and loses 
its use. 

6 But if no wormwood be put 
into the honey, it is sweet and 
profitable to its Lord. Thus is 
forbearance sweeter than honey, 
and profitable to the Lord who 
dwelleth in it. 

7 But anger is unprofitable. 
If therefore anger shall be mixed 
with forbearance, the soul is dis- 
tressed, and its prayer is not 
profitable 5 with God. 

8 And I said unto him, Sir, I 
would know the sinfulness of 
anger, that I may keep myself 
from it. And he said unto me, 
Thou shalt know it, and if thou 
shalt not keep thyself from it, 
thou shalt lose thy hope with all 



1 Place. 

2 Gr. Aetrovpyrjaai. 

3 O^v^oXca. 

4 Both Athanasius and Antiochus add 
here these words, omitted in our copies ; 
" For in forbearance (or long-suffering) 
the Lord dwelleth, but in bitterness the 
devil." 



thy house. Wherefore depart 
from it. 

9 For I the 6 messenger of 
righteousness am with thee : and 
all that depart from it, as many 
as shall repent with all their 
hearts, shall live unto God ; and 
I wilf be with them, and will 
keep them all. 

10 For all such as have re- 
pented, have been justified, by 
the most holy messenger, who is 
a minister of salvation. 

11 ^T And now, says he, hear 
the wickedness of anger; how 
evil and hurtful it is, and how it 
overthrows the servants of God : 
for it cannot 7 hurt those that 
are full of faith, because the 
8 power of God is with them; 
but it overthrows the doubtful, 
and those that are destitute of 
faith. 

12 For as often as it sees 
9 such men, it casts itself into 
their hearts; and so a man or 
woman is in bitterness for noth- 
ing : for the things of life ; or for 
sustenance ; or for a vain word, 
if any should chance to fall in ; 
or by reason of any friend ; or 
for a debt ; or for any other su- 
perfluous things of the like 
nature. 

13 For these things are fool- 
ish, and superfluous, and vain to 
the servants of God. But equa- 
nimity is strong, and forcible, 
and of great power, and sitteth 



s To. 

6 Angel. 

7 Gr. Work upon, evepyvaat ; et MS. 
Lamb. Facere. 

s Virtue. 

9 Gr. Toiovtovs avOpunovs- 



223 



Every 



II. HERMAS. 



man 



in great enlargement ; is cheer- 
ful, rejoicing in peace ; and glo- 
rifying God at all * times with 
meekness. 

14 And this long-suffering 
dwells with those that are full 
of faith. But anger is foolish, 
and light, and empty. Now 
bitterness is bred through folly ; 
by bitterness, anger ; by anger, 
fury. And this fury arising from 
so many evil principles, worketh 
a great and uncurable sin. 

15 For when all these things 
are in the same 2 man in which 
the Holy Spirit dwells ; the ves- 
sel cannot contain them, but 
runs over : and because the Spirit 
being tender cannot tarry with 
the evil one, it departs and 
dwells with him that is meek. 

16 When therefore it is de- 
parted from the man in whom it 
dwelt ; that man becomes desti- 
tute of the Holy Spirit, and is 
afterwards filled with wicked 
spirits, 3 and is blinded with evil 
thoughts. Thus doth it happen 
to all angry men. 

17 Wherefore depart thou 
from anger, and put on equa- 
nimity, and resist wrath ; so shalt 
thou be 4 found with modesty 
and chastity by God. Take 
good heed, therefore, that thou 
neglect not this commandment. 

18 For if thou shalt obey this 



1 In the Greek of Athanasius and Anti- 
ochus the sense is fuller : Having nothing 
of bitterness in itself, and continuing al- 
ways in meekness and quietness. 

2 Vessel. 

3 In the Greek of Athanasius follow 
these words, omitted in the Lat. Vers, of 
Hennas : " And is unstable in all his 
doings, being drawn hither and thither by 
wicked men." 

224 



command, then shalt thou also 
be able to observe the other 
commandments which I shall 
command thee. 

19 Wherefore strengthen thy- 
self now in these commands, 
that thou mayest live unto God. 
And whosoever shall observe 
these commandments shall live 
unto God. 

COMMAND VI. 

That every man has two 5 angels, and of the 
suggestions of both. 

I COMMANDED thee, said 
he, in my first commandment, 
that thou shouldest keep faith, 
and fear, and 6 repentance. Yes, 
sir, said I. 

2 He continued ; But now I 
will show thee the virtues of 
these commands, that thou may- 
est know their effects ; how they 
are 7 prescribed alike to the just 
and unjust. 

3 Do thou therefore believe 
the righteous, but give no credit 
to the unrighteous. For right- 
eousness keepeth the right way, 
but unrighteousness the wicked 
way. 

4 Do thou therefore keep the 
right way, and leave that which 
is evil. For the evil way has 
not a good end, but hath many 
stumbling-blocks; it is rugged 
and full of thorns, and leads to 



4 In the Greek of Athanasius it runs 
better thus : "Applauded with reverence 
by those who are beloved of God." 

5 Vid. Coteler. Annot. in loc. pp. 67, 
68. Comp. Edit. Oxon. p. 61. Note a. 

6 Lat. Pcenitientiam ; it should rather 
be Abstinentiam ; as in the Greek of 
Athanasius j as appears by the first Com- 
mandment, which is here referred to. 

7 Placed. Lat. Posita sunt. 



has two 



COMMAND VI. 



angels. 



destruction ; and is hurtful to all 
such as walk in it. 

5 But they who go in the 
right way, walk with evenness, 
and without offence ; because it 
is not rough, nor thorny. 

6 Thou seest, therefore, how 
it is best to walk in this way. 
Thou shalt therefore go, says he, 
and all others, as many as be- 
lieve in God with all their heart, 
shall go through it. 

7 fl And now, says he, 1 un- 
derstand first of all what belongs 
to faith. There are two angels 
with man; one of righteousness, 
the other of iniquity. 

8 And I said unto him, Sir, 
how shall I know that there are 
two such angels with man? 
Hear, says he, and understand. 

9 The angel of righteousness 
is mild, and modest, and gentle, 
and quiet. When therefore he 
gets into thy heart, immediately 
he talks with thee of righteous- 
ness, of modesty, of chastity, of 
bountifulness, of forgiveness, of 
charity and piety. 

10 When all these things 
come into thy heart, know then 
that the angel of righteousness is 
with thee. Wherefore heark- 
en to this angel and to his 
works. 

11 Learn also the works of 
the angel of iniquity. He is 
first of all bitter, and angry, and 
foolish ; and his works are per- 
nicious, and overthrow the ser- 
vants of God. When therefore 
these things come into thy heart, 
thou shalt know by his works, 



1 Vid. Antioch. Horn. lxi. Comp. Orig. 
I iii. De Princip. et in Luc. Horn. xxxv. 



that this is the angel of in- 
iquity. 

12 And I said unto him, Sir, 
how shall I understand these 
things ? Hear, says he, and un- 
derstand. When anger over- 
takes thee, or bitterness, know 
that he is in thee. 

13 As also, when the desire 
of many 2 things, and of the best 
meats, and of drunkenness ; 
when the love of what belongs 
to others, pride, and much speak- 
ing, and ambition ; and the like 
things, come upon thee. 

14 When therefore these 
things arise in thy heart, know 
that the angel of iniquity is with 
thee. Seeing therefore thou 
knowest his works, depart from 
them all, and give no credit to 
him, because his works are evil, 
and become not the servants of 
God. 

15 Here therefore thou hast 
the works of both these angels. 
Understand now and believe the 
angel of righteousness, because 
his instruction is good. 

16 For let a man be never so 
happy ; yet if the thoughts of 
the other angel arise in his 
heart, that man or woman must 
needs sin. 

17 But let man or woman be 
never so wicked, if the works 
of the angel of righteousness 
come into his heart, that man or 
woman must needs do some 
good. 

18 Thou seest therefore how 
it is good to follow the angel of 
righteousness. If therefore thou 

2 Works. Gr. lipafroiv. 

225 



We must fear God, II. HERMAS. 



but not the devil. 



shalt follow him, and l submit to 
his works, thou shalt live unto 
God. And as many as l shall sub- 
mit to his works, shall live also 
unto God. 

COMMAND VII. 

That we must fear God, but not the devil. 

FEAR 2 God, says he, and 
keep his commandments. 
For if thou keepest his com- 
mandments thou shalt be power- 
ful in every work, and all thy 
work shall be 3 excellent. For 
by fearing God, thou shalt do 
every thing well. 

2 This is that fear with which 
thou must be affected that thou 
mayest be saved. But fear not 
the devil : for if thou fearest the 
Lord, thou shalt have dominion 
over him; because there is no 
power in him. 

3 Now if there be no power 
in him, then neither is he to be 
feared. But he in whom there 
is excellent power, he is to be 
feared ; for every one that has 
power is to be feared. But he 
that has no power is despised by 
every one. 

4 Fear the works of the devil, 
because they are evil. For by 
fearing the Lord, thou wilt fear 
and not do the works of the 
devil, but keep thyself from 
them. 

5 There is therefore a two- 
fold fear ; 4 if thou wilt not do 
evil, fear the Lord, and thou 

1 Gr. UiffTevcrrig, Lat. Credideris, Be- 
lieve. 

2 Vid. Antioch. Horn, cxxvii. Eccles. 
xii. 13. 

3 'AcvyxpiTos, Without comparison ; or 
without mixture. 

4 Gr. Antioch. 

226 



shalt not do it. But if thou wilt 
do good, 5 the fear of the Lord 
is strong, and great, and glo- 
rious. 

6 Wherefore, fear God and 
thou shalt live : and whosoever 
shall fear him, and keep his 
commandments, their life is with 
the Lord. But they who keep 
them not, neither is life in them. 

COMMAND VIII. 

That we must flee from evil, and do good. 

I HAVE told thee, said he, 
that there are two kinds of 
creatures of the Lord, and that 
there is a twofold 6 abstinence. 
From some things therefore thou 
must abstain, and from others 
not. 

2 I answered, Declare to me, 
sir, from what I must abstain, 
and from what not. Hearken, 
said he. Keep thyself from 
evil, and do it not ; but abstain 
not from good, but do it. For 
if thou shalt abstain from what 
is good, and not do it, thou shalt 
sin. Abstain therefore from all 
evil, and thou shalt 7 know all 
righteousness. 

3 I said, What evil things are 
they from which I must abstain ? 
Hearken, said he; from adul- 
tery ; from drunkenness ; from 
riots ; from excess of eating ; 
from daintiness and dishonesty ; 
from pride; from fraud; from 
lying ; from detraction ; from 

5 In the Gr. of Antiochus these words 
follow, which make the connection more 
clear : " I ear also the Lord, and thou 
shalt be able to do it, for." 

6 Antioch. Horn, lxxix. 

7 Do, according to the Greek, epya- 



We must flee evil, COMMAND VIII. 



hypocrisy ; from remembrance 
of injuries ; and from all evil 
speaking. 

4 For these are the works of 
iniquity ; from which the servant 
of God must abstain. For he 
that cannot keep himself from 
these things, cannot live unto 
God. 

5 But hear, said he, what fol- 
lows of these kind of things : 
for indeed many more there are 
from which the servant of God 
must abstain. From theft, and 
cheating; from false witness; 
from covetousness ; from boast- 
ing ; and all other things of the 
like nature. 

6 Do these things seem to 
thee to be evil or not ? Indeed 
they are very evil to the servants 
of God. Wherefore the servant 
of God must abstain from all 
these l works. 

7 Keep thyself therefore from 
them, that thou mayest live unto 
God, and be written among 
those that abstain from them. 
And thus have I shown thee 
what things thou must avoid : 
now learn from what thou must 
not abstain. 

8 Abstain not from any good 
works, but do them. Hear, said 
he, what the virtue of those good 
works is which thou must do, 
that thou mayest be saved. The 
first of all is faith ; the fear of 
the Lord ; charity ; concord ; 



1 Vid. Coteler. in loc. 

2 The sense here is defective, and may 
be thus restored from the Greek of Atha- 
nasius : Whosoever keeps these things and 
doth not abstain from them, shall be hap- 
py in his life. And so the Lamb. MS. 
Haec qui custodierit. 



and do good, 
patience ; chas- 



equity ; truth 
tity. 

9 There is nothing better 
than these things in the life of 
man ; 2 who shall keep and do 
these things in their life. Hear, 
next what follow these. 

10 To minister to the widows ; 
not to despise the fatherless and 
poor; to redeem the servants 
of God from necessity ; to be 
hospitable (for in hospitality 
there is sometimes 3 great fruit) ; 
not to be contentious, but be 
quiet ; 

11 To be humble above all 
men ; to reverence the aged ; to 
labour to be righteous ; 4 to re- 
spect the brotherhood; to bear 
affronts ; to be long-suffering ; 
5 not to cast away those that 
have fallen from the faith ; 
but to convert them and make 
them be of 6 good cheer ; to ad- 
monish sinners ; not to oppress 
those that are our debtors ; 
and all other things of a like 
kind. 

12 Do these things seem to 
thee to be good, or not? And 
I said, What can be better than 
these words? Live then, said 
he, in these commandments, and 
do not depart from them. For 
if thou shalt keep all these com- 
mandments, thou shalt live unto 
God. And all they that shall 
keep these commandments, shall 
live unto God. 

8 Gr. ayaQonotvais, good deed. 

4 Hvvrripciv. 

5 Add from the Gr. of Athanasius and 
Antiochus : Not to remember injuries 5 
To comfort those who labour in their minds. 

6 'Evdvpovs. 

227 



We must ask 



II. HERMAS. 



of God daily. 



COMMAND IX. 

That we must ask of God daily, and without 
doubting. 

AGAIN he said unto me, 
1 Remove from thee all 
doubting ; and question nothing 
at all, when thou askest any 
thing of the Lord ; saying within 
thyself, How shall I be able to 
ask any thing of the Lord and 
receive it, seeing I have so 
greatly sinned against him? 

2 Do not think thus, but turn 
unto the Lord with all thy heart, 
and ask of him without doubt- 
ing, and thou shalt know the 
mercy of the Lord ; how that 
he will not forsake thee, but 
will fulfil the request of thy 
soul. 

3 For God is not as men, 
mindful of the injuries he has 
received ; but he forgets injuries, 
and has compassion upon his 
creature. 

4 Wherefore purify thy heart 
from all the vices of this present 
world; and observe the com- 
mands I have before delivered 
unto thee from God ; and thou 
shalt receive whatsoever good 
things thou shalt ask, and noth- 
ing shall be wanting unto thee 
of all thy petitions ; if thou shalt 
ask of the Lord without doubting. 

5 2 But they that are not such, 
shall obtain none of those things 
which they ask. For they that 
are full of faith, ask all things 
with confidence, and receive 



1 Vid. Antioch. Horn, lxxxiii. 
Fragm. D. Grabe. Spicileg, 



Confer 

torn, i 

e 303, 

% Add from the Gr. both of Athanasius 
and Antiochus : But if thou doubtest in 
thy heart, thou shalt receive none of thy 
petitions. For those who distrust (or. 

228 



from the Lord, because they ask 
without doubting. But he that 
doubts shall hardly live unto 
God, except he repent. 

6 Wherefore purify thy heart 
from doubting, and put on faith ; 
and trust in God ; and thou shalt 
receive all that thou shalt ask. 
But and if thou shouldest chance 
to ask somewhat and not ( 3 im- 
mediately) receive it, yet do not 
therefore doubt, because thou 
hast not presently received the 
petition of thj soul. 

7 For it may be thou shalt 
not presently receive it for thy 
trial, or else for some sin which 
thou knowest not. But do not 
thou leave off to ask, 4 and then 
thou shalt receive. Else if thou 
shalt cease to ask, thou must 
complain of thyself, and not of 
God, that he has not given unto 
thee what thou didst desire. 

8 Consider therefore this 
doubting how cruel and perni- 
cious it is ; and how it utterly roots 
out many from the faith, who 
were very faithful and firm. For 
this doubting is the daughter of 
the devil; and deals very wickedly 
with the servants of God. 

9 Despise it therefore, and 
thou shalt rule over it 5 on every 
occasion. Put on a firm and 
powerful faith : for faith promises 
all things, and perfects all things. 
But doubting will not believe, 
that it shall obtain any thing by 
all that it can do. 



doubt of) God, are like the double mind- 
ed, who shall obtain none of these things. 

3 So MS. Lamb. Tardius accipias : and 
so the Gr. Ppadvrepov Xa/xPavus. 

4 Asking the petition of thy soul. 
6 In every thing. 



We muit 



COMMAND X. 



not grieve 



10 Thou seest therefore, says 
he, how faith cometh from above, 
from God ; and has great power. 
But doubting is an earthly spirit, 
and proceedeth from the devil, 
and has no strength. 

1 1 Do thou therefore keep the 
virtue of faith, and depart from 
doubting, in which is no virtue, 
and thou shalt live unto God. 
And all shall live unto God, as 
many as shall do these things. 

COMMAND X. 

Of the sadness of the heart ; and that we must 
take heed not to grieve the Spirit of God 
that is in us. 

PUT all sadness far from 
thee ; for it is the sister of 
doubting and of anger. How, 
sir, said I, is it the sister of 
these? For sadness, and anger, 
and doubting, seem to me to 
be very different from one an- 
other. 

2 And he answered, 1 Art 
thou without sense, that thou 
dost not understand it? For 
sadness is the most mischievous 
of all spirits, and the worst to 
the servants of God : 2 It de- 
stroys the spirits of all men, and 
torments the Holy Spirit ; and 
again it saves. 

3 Sir, said I, I am very fool- 
ish, and understand not these 
3 things. I cannot apprehend 
how it can torment, and yet save ? 
Hear, said he, and understand. 
They who never sought out the 
truth, nor inquired concerning 
the majesty of God, but only be- 



1 Without sense thou dost not under- 
stand it. 

2 So the Latin Version. But the Greek 
of Athanasius is better : And destroyeth 
man more than any other spirit. 

20 



Jieved, are involved in* the af- 
fairs of the heathen. 

4 And there is another 4 lying 
prophet that destroys the 5 minds 
of the servants of God ; that is, 
of those that are doubtful, not of 
those that fully trust in the Lord. 
Now those doubtful persons 
come to him, as to a divine spir- 
it, and inquire of him, what 
shall befall them. 

5 And this lying prophet, hav- 
ing no power in him of the Di- 
vine Spirit, answers them ac- 
cording to their demands ; and 
fills their souls with promises ac- 
cording as they desire. How- 
beit that prophet is vain, and an- 
swers vain things to those who 
are themselves vain. 

6 And whatsoever is asked of 
him by vain men, he answers 
them vainly. Nevertheless he 
speaketh some things truly. For 
the devil fills him with his spirit, 
that he may overthrow some of 
the righteous. 

7 fl Whosoever therefore are 
strong in the faith of the Lord, 
and have put on the truth, they 
are not joined to such spirits, 
but depart from them. But they 
that are doubtful, and often re- 
penting, like the heathens, 
consult them, and heap up to 
themselves great sin, serving 
idols. 

8 As many therefore as are 
such, inquire of them upon every 
occasion, worship idols, and are 
foolish, and void of the truth. 



3 Questions. 

* Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 70. b. 



Comp. 2 
Cor. vii. 10. 
5 Lat. Sensus : from the Greek Nov?. 



229 



the Spirit 



II. HEUMAS. 



of God. 



9 For every spirit that is given 
from God needs not to be asked ; 
but having the power of divinity 
speaks all things of itself; be- 
cause he comes from above, from 
the power of the Spirit of 
God. 

10 But he that being asked 
speaks according to men's de- 
sires, and concerning many other 
affairs of this present world, un- 
derstands not the things which 
relate unto God. For these spir- 
its are darkened through such 
affairs, and corrupted, and bro- 
ken. 

11 As good vines, if they are 
neglected, are oppressed with 
weeds and thorns, and at last 
killed by them ; so are the men 
who believe such spirits. 

12 They fall into many ac- 
tions and businesses, and are 
void of sense, 1 and when they 
think of things pertaining unto 
God, they understand nothing at 
all : but if at any time they 
chance to hear any thing con- 
cerning the Lord, their 2 thoughts 
are upon their business. 

13 But they that have the fear 
of the Lord, and search out the 
truth concerning God, 3 having 
all their thoughts towards the 
Lord, apprehend whatsoever is 
said to them, and forthwith un- 

1 And understand nothing at all, think- 
ing of riches. Lat. 
* Senses. 

3 Gr. of Athanasius, KapSiav eyoitej 
xpos kvqiov. So that the Latin should be 
Habentes, not Habent. 

4 Gr. Hvvecrig voXX;;. 

5 Gr. TLavTitiv vorjaeis. And so the 
Lamb. MS. Omnia scies. 

6 Gr. eicrpiPa. MS. Lamb. Contribulat. 

7 In the Greek of Athanasius, follows, 
kcli noiTjari tl kukov. And he doth some- 
thing which is ill. Which better agrees 

230 



derstand it, because they have 
the fear of the Lord in them. 

14 For where the Spirit of the 
Lord dwells, there is also 4 much 
understanding added. Where- 
fore join thyself to the Lord, 
5 and thou shalt understand all 
things. 

15 fl Learn now, O unwise 
man ! how sadness 6 troubleth 
the Holy Spirit, and how it saves. 
When a man that is doubtful is 
engaged in any affair, and does 
not accomplish it by reason of 
his doubting ; this sadness enters 
into him, and grieves the Holy 
Spirit, and makes him sad. 

16 Again, anger, when it 
overtakes any man for any busi- 
ness, he is greatly moved ; 7 and 
then again sadness entereth into 
the heart of him, who was moved 
with anger, and he is troubled 
for what he hath done, and re- 
penteth because he hath done 
amiss. 

17 This sadness therefore 
seemeth to bring salvation, be- 
cause he repenteth of his evil 
deed. But both the other things, 
namely, doubting and sadness, 
such as before was mentioned, 
vex the Spirit : doubting, because 
his work did not succeed ; and 
sadness, because he angered the 
Holy Spirit. 

with what follows : Because he hath done 
amiss. The text in this place being evi- 
dently coirupted, it has been endeavoured 
to restore the true sense of it from the 
Greek of Athanasius, which is as follows : 
IlaXtv r) Xvnrj eicnopevsTai ets ttjv Kapdtav 
tov avBpwnov tov o^v^o\i]aavTOS, km 
\vneiTai em ttj npa&i avrov x] enpafcv, nai 
fieravou on irovrjpov EipyaaaTO. Avtij ovv t) 
\vnri 6oku ciorripiav f^av, on to novripov 
irpa!;as fiETevorjasv. ApcpoTEpai 5e toiv npa%- 

EUV Xl>7IOU07, &C 



The spirits 



COMMAND XI. 



and prophets 



18 l Remove therefore sad- 
ness from thyself; 2 and afflict 
not the Holy Spirit which dwell- 
eth in thee ; lest he 3 entreat 
God ; and depart from thee. For 
the Spirit of the Lord, 4 which 
is given to dwell in the flesh, 
endureth no such sadness. 

19 Wherefore clothe thyself 
with cheerfulness, which has al- 
ways favour with the Lord, and 
thou shalt rejoice in it. For 
every cheerful man does well ; 
and relishes those things that 
are good, and despises 5 sadness. 

20 But the sad man does al- 
ways wickedly. First, he doth 
wickedly 6 because he grieveth 
the Holy Spirit, which is given 
to man being of a cheerful na- 
ture. And again he does ill, be- 
cause he prays with sadness unto 
the Lord, and maketh not first a 
thankful acknowledgment unto 
him of former mercies ; and ob- 
tains not of God what he asks. 

21 For the prayer of a sad 
man has not always efficacy to 
come up to the altar of God. 
And I said unto him, Sir, why 
has not the prayer of a sad man 
virtue to come up to the altar of 
God? Because, said he, that 
sadness remaineth in his heart. 

22 When therefore a man's 
prayer shall be accompanied 
with sadness, it will not suffer 
his requests to ascend pure to 
the altar of God. For as wine, 
when it is mingled with vinegar, 



1 Antioch. Horn. xxv. 

2 Greek, Mr) 6\i0e, MS. Lamb. Noli 
no-cere. 

3 Gr. M»7 evTEvfyrai rw dew 
Rom. vii. 27. 

4 Gr. To Sodtv sis tt)v oapica, ravrrjv 
\vnr}v ovk vnofyepu. 



Comp. 



has not the sweetness it had be- 
fore ; so sadness being mixed 
with the Holy Spirit, suffers not 
a man's prayer to be the same 
that it would be otherwise. 

23 Wherefore cleanse thyself 
from sadness, which is evil, and 
thou shalt live unto God. And 
all others shall live unto God, as 
many as shall lay aside sadness, 
and put on cheerfulness. 

COMMAND XI. 

That the spirits and prophets are to be tried 
by their works, and of a twofold spirit. 

HE showed me certain men 
sitting upon benches, and 
one sitting in a chair ; and he 
said unto me, Seest thou those 
who sit upon the benches 1 Sir, 
said I, I see them. He answer- 
ed, They are the faithful ; and 
he who sits in the chair, is an 
earthly spirit. 

2 For he cometh not into 7 the 
assembly of the faithful, but 
avoids it. But he joins himself 
to the doubtful and empty ; and 
prophesies to them in corners 
and hidden places ; and pleases 
them by speaking according to 
all the desires of their hearts. 

3 For he placing himself 
among empty vessels, is not bro- 
ken, but the one fitteth the other. 
But when he cometh into the 
company of just men, 8 who are 
full of the Spirit of God, and 
they pray unto the Lord, that 
man is 9 emptied, because that 

6 Gr. Xvnrjs. 

6 So the Greek : o Se Xvntjpog avep navrors 
novriptvirai. ITpwrov fitv novrtptvtrai, &C. 

7 Church of the living. 

8 Have the Spirit of God in them. 

9 Exinanitur. 

231 



to be tried 



II. HERMAS. 



by worlcs.. 



earthly spirit flies from him, and 
he is dumb, and cannot* speak 
any thing. 

4 As if in a store-house you 
shall stop up wine or oil ; and 
among those vessels shall place 
an empty jar ; and shall after- 
wards come to open it, you shall 
find it empty as you stopped it 
up : so those empty prophets, 
when they come among the spir- 
its of the just, are found to be 
such as they came. 1 

5 f[ I said, How then shall a 
man be able to discern them 1 
Consider what I am going to 
say concerning both kinds of 
2 men ; and as I speak unto 
thee, so shalt thou prove the 
prophet of God, and the false 
prophet. 

6 And first try the man who 
hath the Spirit of God ; because 
the Spirit which is from above is 
humble and quiet ; and departs 
from all wickedness ; and from 
the vain desires of the present 
world ; and makes himself more 
humble than all men ; and an- 
swers to none when he is asked ; 
nor to every one singly : for the 
Spirit of God doth not speak to 
a man when he will, but when 
God pleases. 

7 When therefore a man who 
hath the Spirit of God shall come 
into the church of the righteous, 
who have the faith of God, and 
they pray unto the Lord ; then 
the holy angel of God fills that 
man with the blessed Spirit, and 



1 Something was wanting in this place 
to make the subject clear, and it was sug- 
gested to Archbishop Wake, by Dr. 
Grabe, that what should have followed 
was transposed into the next Command. 

232 



he speaks in the congregation 
as he is moved of God. 

8 Thus therefore is the Spirit 
of God known, because whoso- 
ever speaketh by the Spirit of 
God, speaketh as the Lord will. 

9 fl Hear now concerning the 
earthly spirit, which is empty 
and foolish, and without virtue. 
And first of all the man who is 
supposed to have the Spirit 
(whereas he hath it not in real- 
ity), exalteth himself, and de- 
sires to have the first seat, and 
is wicked, and full of words ; 

10 And spends his time in 
pleasure, and in all manner of 
voluptuousness ; and receives 
the reward of his divination ; 
which if he receives not, he does 
not divine. 

11 Should the Spirit of God 
receive . reward and divine ? It 
doth not become a prophet of 
God so to do. 

12 Thus you see the life of 
each of these kind of prophets. 
Wherefore prove that man by 
his life and works, who says that 
he hath the Holy Spirit. And 
believe the Spirit which comes 
from God, and has power as 
such. But believe not the earth- 
ly and empty spirit, which is 
from the devil, in whom there is 
no faith nor virtue. 

13 Hear now the similitude 
which I am about to speak unto 
thee. Take a stone, and throw 
it up towards heaven ; or take a 
spout of water, and mount it up 



Accordingly the Archbishop reduced both 
places to what he conceived should be 
their true order, and in that state they 
now stand. 
8 Vessels. 



Of a twofold 



COMMAND XII. 



desire. 



thitherward ; and see if thou 
canst reach unto heaven. 

14 Sir, said I, How can this 
be done ? For neither of those 
things which you have mention- 
ed, are possible to be done. 
And he answered, Therefore, as 
these things cannot be done, so 
is the earthly spirit without vir- 
tue, and without effect. 

15 Understand yet further the 
power which cometh from above, 
in this similitude. The grains 
of hail that drop down are ex- 
ceeding small ; and yet when 
they fall upon the head of a man, 
how do they cause pain to 
it? 

16 And again; consider the 
droppings of a house ; how the 
little drops falling upon the 
earth, work a hollow in the 
stones. 

17 So in like manner, the 
least things which come from 
above, and fall upon the earth, 
have great force. Wherefore 
join thyself to this spirit, which 
has power ; and depart from the 
other, which is empty. 

COMMAND XII. 

Of a twofold desire : that the commands of 
God are not impossible : and that the devil 
is not to be feared by them that believe. 

AGAIN he said unto me, 
1 Remove from thee all 
evil desires, and put on good 
and holy desires. For having 
put on a good desire, thou shalt 
hate that which is evil, and bri- 

1 Vid. Antioch. Horn, lxxiv. 

2 MS. Lamb. Consumitur, et Gr. 
Athanas. Sccnavarai. 

3 Gr. Athanas. euiretpvp/xcvovs tw aiuivi 
tovtw. Instead of Implicat eos ? the Lat. 
Vers, should be Implicatos. 

20* 



die it as thou wilt. But an evil 
desire is dreadful, and hard to 
be tamed. 

2 It is very horrible and wild ; 
and by its wildness consumes 
men. And especially if a ser- 
vant of God shall chance to fall 
into it, except he be very wise, 
he 2 is ruined by it. For it de- 
stroys those who have not the 
garment of a good desire ; and 
3 are engaged in the affairs of 
this present world ; and delivers 
them unto death. 

3 4 Sir, said I, What are the 
works of an evil desire, which 
bring men unto death ? Show 
them to me, that I may depart 
from them. Hear, said he, by 
what works an evil desire bring- 
eth the servants of God unto 
death. 

4 First of all, it is an evil de- 
sire to covet another man's wife ; 
or for a woman to covet anoth- 
er's husband ; as also to desire 
the dainties of riches ; and mul- 
titude of superfluous meats ; and 
drunkenness ; and many de- 
lights. 

5 For in much delicacy there 
is folly ; and many pleasures are 
needless to the servants of God. 
Such lusting therefore is evil 
and pernicious, which brings to 
death the servants of God. For 
all such lusting is from the devil. 

6 Whosoever therefore shall 
depart from all evil desires, shall 
live unto God ; but they that are 
subject unto them shall die for 

4 That the words here inserted, and 
removed into their proper place in the 
foregoing Command, do not belong to 
this Discourse, the Greek of Athanasius, 
in which they are all omitted, clearly 
shows. 

233 



God's commands 



II. HERMAS. 



not impossible. 



ever. For this evil lusting is 
deadly. Do thou therefore put 
on the desire of righteousness, 
and being armed with the fear 
of the Lord, resist all wicked 
lusting. 

7 For this fear dwelleth in 
good desires ; and when evil 
coveting shall see thee armed 
with the fear of the Lord, and 
resisting it ; it will fly far from 
thee, and not appear before thee, 
but be afraid of thy armour ; 

8 And thou shalt have the 
victory, and be crowned for it ; 
and shalt attain unto that desire 
which is good ; and shalt give 
the victory which thou hast ob- 
tained unto God, and shalt serve 
him in doing what thou thyself 
wouldest do. 

9 For if thou shalt serve good 
desires, and be subject to them ; 
thou shalt be able to get the do- 
minion over thy wicked lust- 
ings, and they shall be subject 
to thee as thou wilt. 

10 ff And I said, Sir, I would 
know how to serve that desire 
which is good. Hearken, said 
he. Fear God, and put thy trust 
in him, and love truth, and 
righteousness, and do that which 
is good. 

11 If thou shalt do these 
things, thou shalt be an approv- 
ed servant of God ; and shalt 
serve him : and all others who 
shall in like manner serve a 
good desire shall live unto God. 

12 fl And when he had ful- 
filled these twelve commands, 
he said unto me, Thou hast now 
these commands, walk in them ; 
and exhort those that hear them 
that they repent, and that they 

234 



keep their repentance pure all 
the remaining days of their life. 

13 And fulfil diligently this 
ministry which I commit to 
thee, and thou shalt receive great 
advantage by it ; and shalt find 
favour with all such as shall re- 
pent, and shall believe thy 
words. For I am with thee, and 
will force them to believe. 

14 And I said unto him, Sir, 
these commands are great and 
excellent, and able to cheer the 
heart of that man that shall be 
able to keep them. But, sir, I 
cannot tell whether they can be 
observed by any man. 

15 He answered, Thou shalt 
easily keep these commands, and 
they shall not be hard : howbeit, 
If thou shalt suffer it once to 
enter into thy heart, that they 
cannot be kept by any one, thou 
shalt not fulfil them. 

16 But now I say unto thee, 
If thou shalt not observe these 
commands, but shalt neglect 
them, thou shalt not be saved, 
nor thy children, nor thy house : 
because thou hast judged that 
these commands cannot be kept 
by man. 

17 {[ These things he spake 
very angrily unto me, insomuch 
that he greatly affrighted me. 
For he changed his counte- 
nance, so that a man could not 
bear his anger. 

18 And when he saw me al- 
together troubled and confound- 
ed, he began to speak more 
moderately and cheerfully, say- 
ing, O foolish, and without un- 
derstanding ! 

19 Unconstant, not knowing 
the majesty of God, how great 



Believers not to 



COMMAND XII. 



fear the devil. 



and wonderful he is ; who creat- 
ed the world for man, and hath 
made every creature subject unto 
him ; and given him all power, 
that he should be able to ] fulfil 
all these commands. 

20 He is able, said he, to 

1 fulfil all these commands, who 
hasithe Lord in his heart: but 
they who have the Lord only in 
their mouths, and their heart is 
hardened, and they are far from 
the Lord ; to such persons these 
commands are hard and difficult. 

21 Put therefore, ye that are 
empty and light in the faith, the 
Lord your God in your hearts ; 
and ye shall perceive how that 
nothing is more easy than these 
commands, nor more pleasant, 
nor more gentle and holy. 

22 And turn yourselves to the 
Lord your God, and forsake the 
devil and his pleasures, because 
they are evil, and bitter, and 
impure. And fear not the devil, 
because he has no power over 
you. 

23 For I am with you, the 

2 messenger of repentance, who 
have the dominion over him. 
The devil doth indeed affright 
men ; but his terror is vain. 
Wherefore fear him not, and he 
will flee from you. 

24 fl And I said unto him, 
Sir, hear me speak a few words 
unto you. He answered, Say 
on. A man indeed desires to 
keep the commandments of God ; 
and there is no one but what 
prays unto God, that he may be 
; ble to keep his commandments. 

25 But the devil is hard, and 



by his power rules over the ser- 
vants of God. And he said, He 
cannot rule over the servants of 
God, 3 who trust in him with all 
their hearts. 

26 The devil may strive, but 
he cannot overcome them. 

27 For if ye resist him, he 
will flee away with confusion 
from you. But they that are not 
full in the faith, fear the devil, 
as if he had some great power. 
For the devil tries the servants 
of God; and if he finds them 
empty, he destroys them. 

28 For as a man, when he 
fills up vessels with good wine, 
4 and among them puts a few 
vessels half full, and comes to 
try and taste of the vessels, doth 
not try those that are full, be- 
cause he knows that they are 
good ; but tastes those that are 
half full, lest they should grow 
sour (for vessels half full soon 
grow sour, and lose the taste of 
wine) : so the devil comes to the 
servants of God to try them. 

29 They that are full of faith 
resist him stoutly, and he de- 
parts from them, because he 
finds no place where to enter 
into them : then he goes to those 
that are not full of faith, and be- 
cause he has place of entrance, 
he goes into them, and does 
what he will with them, and they 
become his servants. 

30 fl But I, the 5 messenger 
of repentance, say unto you, 
Fear not the devil. For I am 
sent unto you, that I may be 
with you, as many as shall re- 
pent with your whole heart, and 



1 Ut dominetur. 

2 Angel. 



3 Gr. t\ni%ovro)v sis 'Avrov. 

4 Origen, in Matt. xxiv. 42. 

235 



Angel. 



Of the world 



HI. HERMAS. 



to come. 



that I may confirm you in the 
faith. 

31 l Believe, therefore, ye who 
by reason of your transgressions 
have 2 forgot God, and your own 
salvation ; and 3 adding to your 
sins, have made your life very 
heavy ; 

32 That if ye shall turn to the 
Lord with your whole hearts, and 
shall serve him according to his 
will, he will heal you of your 
former sins, and ye shall have 
dominion over all the works of 
the devil. 

33 Be not then afraid in the 
least of his threatenings, for 
they are without force, as the 
nerves of a dead man. But 
hearken unto me, and fear the 
Lord Almighty, who is able to 



save and to destroy you ; and 
keep his commands, that ye may 
live unto God. 

34 And I said unto him, Sir, 
I am now confirmed in all the 
commands of the Lord whilst 
that you are with me; and I 
know that you will break all the 
power of the devil. 

35 And we also shall over- 
come him, if we shall be able, 
through the help of the Lord, to 
keep these commands which you 
have delivered. 

36 Thou shalt keep them, 
said he, if thou shalt purify thy 
heart towards the Lord. And 
all they also shall keep them who 
shall cleanse their hearts from 
the vain desires of the present 
world, and shall live unto God. 



The Third Book of HERMAS, which is called his 
SIMILITUDES. 



SIMILITUDE I. 

That seeing wo have no abiding city in this 
world, we ought to look after that which 
is to come. 

AND he said unto me, 4 Ye 
know that ye, who are the 
servants of the Lord, live here 
as in a pilgrimage ; for your 
city is far oil from this city. 

2 If, therefore, ye know your 
city in which ye are to dwell, 
why do ye here buy estates, 
and provide yourselves with deli- 
cacies, and stately buildings, 

1 Vid. Antioch. Horn, lxxvii. 

2 MS. Lamb. Qui obliti estis Deum, 
et salutem vestram. 

3 What follows should be corrected 

236 



and superfluous houses ? For 
he that provides himself these 
things in this city, does not 
think of returning into his own 
city. 

3 O foolish, and doubtful, and 
wretched man ; whounderstand- 
est not that all these things be- 
long to other men, and are un- 
der the power of another. For 
the Lord of this city saith unto 
thee, Either obey my laws, or 
depart out of my city. 

4 What, therefore, shalt thou 

thus: Et qui adjicientes peccatis vestns, 
gravatis vitam vestram. 
4 Antioch. Horn. xv. 



The rich helped 



SIMILITUDE II. 



by the poor. 



do who art subject to a law in 
thine own city ? Canst thou for 
thy estate, or for any of those 
things which thou hast provided, 
deny thy law? But if thou shalt 
deny it, and wilt afterwards re- 
turn into thy own city, thou 
shalt not be received, but shalt 
be excluded thence. 

5 See, therefore, that like a 
man in another country, thou 
procure no more to thyself than 
what is necessary, and sufficient 
for thee ; and be ready, that 
when the God or Lord of this 
city shall drive thee out of it, 
thou mayest oppose his law, and 
go into thine own city ; where 
thou mayest with all cheerful- 
ness live according to thine own 
law without wrong. 

6 Take heed therefore, ye that 
serve God, and have him in your 
hearts : work ye the works of 
God, being mindful both of his 
commands, and of his promises, 
which he has promised ; and be 
assured that he will make them 
good unto you, if ye shall keep 
his commandments. 

7 Instead therefore of the pos- 
sessions that ye would otherwise 
purchase, redeem l those that 
are in want from their necessi- 
ties, as every one is able ; justify 
the widows ; judge the cause of 
the fatherless ; and spend your 
riches and your wealth in such 
works as these. 

8 For, for this end has God 
enriched you, that ye might ful- 
fil these kind of services. It is 
much better to do this, than to 

i Souls. 



buy lands or houses ; because all 
such things shall perish with this 
present time. 

9 But what ye shall do for the 
name of the Lord, ye shall find 
in your city, and shall have joy 
without sadness or fear. Where- 
fore covet not the riches of the 
heathen ; for they are destructive 
to the servants of God. 

10 2 But trade with your own 
riches which you possess, by 
which ye may attain unto ever- 
lasting joy. 

11 And do not commit adul- 
tery, nor touch any other man's 
wife, nor desire her ; but covet 
that which is thy own business, 
and thou shalt be saved. 

SIMILITUDE II. 

As the vine is supported by the elm, so is the 
rich man helped by the prayers of the poor. 

AS I was walking into the 
field, and considered the 
elm and the vine, and thought 
with myself of their fruits, an 
angel appeared unto me, and 
said unto me, What is it that 
thou thinkest upon thus long 
within thyself? 

2 And I said unto him, Sir, 
I think of this vine and this elm, 
because their fruits are fair. 
And he said unto me, 3 These 
two trees are set for a pattern to 
the servants of God. 

3 And I said unto him, Sir, 
I would know in what the pat- 
tern of these trees which thou 
mentionest, dost consist. Heark- 
en, saith he; Seest thou this 
vine and this elm ? Sir, said I, 
I see them. 

2 MS. Lambeth. Proprias autem quas 
habelis agite. 

3 Vid. Origen. in Jos. Horn. x. 

237 



Of green and 

4 This vine, saith he, is fruit- 
ful, but the elm is a tree with- 
out fruit. Nevertheless this vine, 
unless it were set by this elm and 
supported by it, would not bear 
much fruit ; but lying along upon 
the ground, would bear but ill 
fruit, because it did not hang 
upon the elm; whereas, now 
being supported upon the elm, 
it bears fruit both for itself, and 
for that. 

5 See, therefore, how the elm 
gives no less, but rather more 
fruit, than the vine. How, sir, 
said I, does it bear more fruit 
than the vine ? Because, said he, 
the vine, being supported upon 
the elm, gives both much and 
good fruit : whereas, if it lay 
along upon the ground, it would 
bear but little, and that very 
ill too. 

6 This similitude, therefore, 
is set forth to the servants of 
God ; and it represents the rich 
and poor man. I answered, Sir, 
make this manifest unto me. 
Hear, said he ; The rich man 
has wealth ; howbeit towards the 
Lord he is poor; for he is 
1 taken up about his riches, and 
prays but little to the Lord ; and 
the prayers which he makes are 
lazy and without force. 

7 When, therefore, the rich 
man reaches out to the poor 
those things which he wants, the 
poor man prays unto the Lord 
for the rich; and God grants 
unto the rich man all good 
things, because the poor man is 
rich in prayer ; and his requests 
have great power with the Lord. 

8 Then the rich man minis- 

} Distracted. 

838 



III. HERMAS. 



dry trees. 



ters all things to the poor, be- 
cause he perceives that he is 
heard by the Lord ; and he 
the more willingly, and without 
doubting, affords him what he 
wants, and takes care that noth- 
ing be lacking to him. 

9 And the poor man gives 
thanks unto the Lord for the 
rich ; because they do both their 
work from the Lord. 

10 With men, therefore, the 
elm is not thought to give any 
fruit ; and they know not, neither 
understand that its company 
being added to the vine, the vine 
bears a double increase, both for 
itself and for the elm. 

11 Even so the poor, praying 
unto the Lord for the rich, are 
heard by him ; and their riches 
are increased, because they min- 
ister to the poor of their wealth. 
They are, therefore, both made 
partakers of each other's good 
works. 

12 Whosoever, therefore, shall 
do these things, he shall not be 
forsaken by the Lord, but shall 
be written in the book of life. 

13 Happy are they who are 
rich, and perceive themselves 
to be increased : for he that is 
sensible of this, will be able to 
minister somewhat to others. 

SIMILITUDE III. 

As the green trees in the winter cannot be dis- 
tinguished from the dry ; so neither can the 
righteous from the wicked in this present 
world. 

AGAIN he showed me many 
trees whose leaves were 
shed, and which seemed to me 
to be withered, for they were all 
alike. And he said unto me, 
Seest thou these trees ? I said, 






Believers' 



SIMILITUDE IV. 



fruits. 



Sir, I see that they look like dry 
trees. 

2 He answering, said unto 
me, These trees are like unto 
the men who live in this present 
world. I replied, Sir, why are 
they like unto dried trees ? 
Because, said he, neither the 
righteous nor unrighteous are 
known from one another; but 
are all alike in this present 
world. 

3 For this world is as the 
winter to the righteous men, 
1 because they are not known, 
but dwell among sinners. 

4 As in the winter, all the 
trees, having lost their leaves, are 
like dry trees ; nor can it be dis- 
cerned which are dry, and which 
are green : so in this present 
world neither the righteous nor 
wicked are discerned from each 
other ; but they are all alike. 

SIMILITUDE IV. 

As 1 in the summer the living trees are distin- 
guished from the dry by their fruit and 
green leaves ; so in the world to come the 
righteous shall be distinguished from the 
unrighteous by their happiness. 

AGAIN he showed me many 
other trees, of which some 
had leaves, and others appeared 
dry and withered. And he said 
unto me, Seest thou these trees.? 
I answered, Sir, I see them ; 
and some are dry, and others 
full of leaves. 

2 These trees, saith he, which 
are green, are the righteous, 
which shall possess the world to 
come. For the world to come, 
is the summer to the righteous ; 
but to sinners it is the winter. 

3 When, therefore, the mercy 

1 Who are. 



of the Lord shall shine forth, 
then they who serve God shall 
be made manifest, and plain un- 
to all. For as in the summer 
the fruit of every tree is shown 
and made manifest, so also the 
works of the righteous shall be 
declared and made manifest, and 
they shall all be restored in that 
world merry and joyful. 

4 For the other 2 kind of 
men, namely, the wicked, like 
the trees which thou sawest dry, 
shall as such be found* dry and 
without fruit in that other world ; 
and like dry wood shall be burnt ; 
and it shall be made manifest 
that they have done evil all the 
time of their life ; 

5 And they shall be burnt,- 
because they have sinned and 
have not repented of their sins. 
And also all the other nations 
shall be burnt, because they 
have not acknowledged God 
their Creator. 

6 Do thou, therefore, bring 
forth good fruit, that in the sum- 
mer thy fruit may be known ; and 
keep thy self from much business, 
and thou shalt not offend. For 
they who are involved in much 
business, sin much ; because 
they are taken up with their af- 
fairs, and serve not God. 

7 And how can a man that 
does not serve God ask any 
thing of God, and receive it ? 
But they who serve him ask and 
receive what they desire. 

8 But, if a man has only 
one thing to follow, he may 
serve God, because his mind 
is not taken off from God, but 

2 Nations. 

239 



A true fast, 



III. HERMAS. 



and its rewards. 



he serves him with a pure 
mind. 

9 If, therefore, thou shalt do 
this, thou mayest have fruit in 
the world to come ; and all, as 
many as shall do in like manner, 
shall bring forth fruit. 

SIMILITUDE V. 

Of a true fast, and the rewards of it : also of 
the cleanliness of the body. 

AS I was fasting, and sitting 
down in a certain moun- 
tain, and giving thanks unto 
God for all the things that he 
had done l unto me, behold I saw 
the shepherd, who was wont to 
converse with me, sitting by me, 
-and saying unto me, What has 
brought thee hither thus early 
in the morning ? I answered, 
Sir, to-day I keep a 2 station. 

2 He answered, What is a 
station % I replied, it is a fast. 
He said, What is that fast? I 
answered, I fast, as I have been 
wont to do. Ye know not, said 
he, what it is to fast unto God ; 
nor is this a fast which ye fast, 
profiting nothing with God. 

3 Sir, said I, what makes 
you speak thus ? He replied, I 
speak it, because this is not the 
true fast which you think that 
you fast ; but I will show you 
what that is which is a 3 com- 
plete fast, and acceptable unto 
God. 

4 Hearken, said he ; The 
Lord does not desire such a 
needless fast ; for by fasting in 
this manner, thou advancest 
nothing in righteousness. 

* With me. 

2 Vid. Not. Coteler. in loc. pp. 72, 73. 

240 



5 4 But the true fast is this : 
Do nothing wickedly in thy life, 
but serve God with a pure mind ; 
and keep his commandments, 
and walk according to his pre- 
cepts, nor suffer any wicked de- 
sire to enter into thy mind. 

6 But trust in the Lord, that 
if thou dost these things, and 
fearest him, and abstainest from 
every evil work, thou shalt live 
unto God. 

7 If thou shalt do this, thou 
shalt perfect a great fast, and an 
acceptable one unto the Lord. 

8 fl Hearken unto the simili- 
tude which I am about to pro- 
pose unto thee, as to this matter. 

9 A certain man having a 
farm, and many servants, plant- 
ed a vineyard in a certain part 
of his estate for his posterity ; 

10 And taking a journey into 
a far country, chose one of his 
servants which he thought the 
most faithful and approved, and 
delivered the vineyard into his 
care, commanding him that he 
should stake up his vines. 
Which if he did, and fulfilled 
his command, he promised to 
give him his liberty. Nor did 
he command him to do any 
thing more ; and so went into a 
far country. 

11 After then that that ser- 
vant had taken that charge upon 
him, he did whatsoever his lord 
commanded him. And when 
he had staked the vineyard, and 
found it to be full of weeds, he 
began to think with himself, 
saying, 

12 I have done what my lord 

3 Coteler. Ibid. 

4 Jejuna certe verum jejunium tale. Lat. 



A true fast, 



SIMILITUDE V. 



and its rewards. 



commanded me : I will now dig 
this vineyard, and when it is 
digged, it will be more beauti- 
ful ; and the weeds being pulled 
up, it will bring forth more fruit, 
and not be choked by the weeds. 

13 So setting about this w T ork, 
he digged it, and plucked up all 
the weeds that were in it ; and 
so the vineyard became very 
beautiful and prosperous, not 
being choked with weeds. 

14 After some time the lord 
of the vineyard comes and goes 
into the vineyard, arid when he 
saw that it was handsomely 
staked, and digged, and the 
weeds plucked up that were in 
it, and the vines flourishing, he 
rejoiced greatly at the care of 
his servant. 

15 And calling his son whom 
he loved, and who was to be his 
heir, and his friends with whom 
he was wont to consult, he tells 
them what he had commanded 
his servant to do, and what his 
servant had done more ; and 
they immediately congratulated 
that servant, that he had received 
so 1 full a testimony from his lord. 

16 Then he said unto them, 
I indeed promised this servant 
his liberty, if he observed the 
command which I gave him, and 
he observed it, and besides has 
done a good work to my vine- 
yard, which has exceedingly 
pleased me. 

17 Wherefore for this work 
which he hath done, I will make 
him my heir together with my 
son ; because that when he saw 
what was good, he neglected it 
not, but did it. 

1 Just a commendation. 

21 



18 This design of the lord 
both his son and his friends ap- 
proved, namely, that this ser- 
vant should be heir together 
with his son. 

19 Not long after this, the 
master of the family, calling to- 
gether his friends, sent from his 
supper several kinds of food to 
that servant. 

20 Which when he had re- 
ceived, he took so much of them 
as was sufficient for himself, and 
divided the rest among his fel- 
low servants. 

21 Which when they had re- 
ceived, they rejoiced, and wished 
that he might find yet greater fa- 
vor with his lord, for what he 
had done to them. 

22 When his lord heard all 
these things, he was again filled 
with great joy, and, calling again 
his friends and his son together, 
he related to them what his ser- 
vant had done with the meats 
which he had sent unto him. 

23 They therefore so much 
the more assented to the master 
of the household, that he ought 
to make that servant his heir to- 
gether with his son. 

24 fl I said unto him, Sir, 
I know not these similitudes, 
neither can I understand them, 
unless you expound them unto 
me. I will, says he, expound 
all things unto thee whatsoever 
I have talked with thee, or shown 
unto thee. 

25 Keep the commandments 
of the Lord, and thou shalt be 
approved, and shalt be written 
in the number of those that keep 
his commandments. But if be- 
sides those things which the 

241 



A true fast, 



III. HERMAS. 



and its rewards. 



Lord hath commanded, thou 
shalt add some good thing, thou 
shalt purchase to thyself a great- 
er dignity, and be in more fa- 
vor with the Lord than thou 
shouldest otherwise have been. 

26 If therefore thou shalt 
keep the commandments of the 
Lord, and shalt add to them 
these stations, thou shalt rejoice ; 
but especially if thou shalt keep 
them according to my com- 
mands. 

27 I said unto him, Sir, what- 
soever thou shalt command me, 
I will observe ; for I know that 
thou wilt be with me. I will, 
said he, be with thee, who hast 
taken up such a resolution ; and 
I will be with all those who pur- 
pose in like manner. 

28 This fast, saith he, whilst 
thou dost also observe the com- 
mandments of the Lord, is ex- 
ceeding good. Thus, therefore, 
ehalt thou keep it. 

29 First of all, take heed to 
thyself, and keep thyself from 
every x wicked act, and from 
every filthy word, and from every 
hurtful desire ; and purify thy 
mind from all the vanity of this 
present world. If thou shalt ob- 
serve these things, this fast shall 
be right. 

30 Thus therefore do : Hav- 
ing performed what is before 
written, that day on which thou 
fastest thou shalt taste nothing 
at all but 2 bread and water ; 
3 and computing the quantity of 
food which thou art wont to eat 
upon other days, thou shalt 2 lay 

1 Shameful, or upbraiding-. 

2 Vid. Not. Coteler. ii. p. 74, A. B.C. 

242 



aside the expense which thou 
shouldest have made that day, 
and give it unto the widow, the 
fatherless, and the poor. 

31 2 And thus thou shalt per- 
fect the humiliation of thy soul ; 
that he who receives of it may 
satisfy his soul, and his prayer 
come up to the Lord God for 
thee. 

32 If therefore thou shalt thus 
accomplish thy fast, as I com- 
mand thee, thy sacrifice shall be 
acceptable unto the Lord, and 
thy fast shall be written in his 
book. 

33 This station, thus perform- 
ed, is good, and pleasing, and 
acceptable unto the Lord. These 
things if thou shalt observe with 
thy children, and with all thy 
house, thou shalt be happy. 

34 And whosoever, when they 
hear these things, shall do them, 
they also shall be happy ; and 
whatsoever they shall ask of the 
Lord, they shall receive it. 

35 And I prayed him that 
he would expound unto me the 
similitude of the farm, and the 
lord, and of the vineyard, and 
of the servant that had staked 
the vineyard ; and of the weeds 
that were plucked out of the 
vineyard ; and of his son and 
his friends which he took into 
counsel with him. For I under- 
stood that that was a simili- 
tude. 

36 He said unto me, Thou 
art very bold in asking ; for thou 
oughtest not to ask any thing ; 
because if it be fitting to show it 

3 Vid. Antioch. Horn. vii. 



Of cleanliness 



SIMILITUDE V. 



of the bodif. 



unto thee, it shall be showed 
unto thee. 

37 I answered him, Sir, 
whatsoever thou shalt show me, 
without explaining it unto me, I 
shall in vain see it, if I do not 
understand what it is. And if 
thou shalt propose any simili- 
tudes, and not expound them, I 
shall in vain hear them. 

38 He answered me again, 
saying, Whosoever is the ser- 
vant of God, and has the Lord 
in his heart, he desires under- 
standing of him, and receives it ; 
and he explains every similitude, 
and understands the words of the 
Lord which need an inquiry. 

39 But they that are lazy, and 
slow to pray, doubt to seek from 
the Lord ; although the Lord be 
of such an extraordinary good- 
ness, that without ceasing he 
giveth all things to them that ask 
of him. 

40 Thou therefore, who art 
strengthened by that venerable 
messenger, and hast received 
such a powerful gift of prayer, 
seeing thou art not slothful, why 
dost thou not now ask under- 
standing of the Lord, and re- 
ceive it 1 

41 I said unto him, Seeing I 
have thee present, it is necessary 
that I should seek it of thee, and 
ask thee ; for thou showest all 
things unto me, and speakest to 
me when thou art present. 

42 But if I should see or hear 
these things when thou wert not 
present, I would then ask the 
Lord that he would show them 
unto me." 

43 fl And he replied, I said 
a little before that thou wert sub- 



tle and bold, in that thou askest 
the meaning of these similitudes. 

44 But because thou still per- 
sistest, I will unfold to thee this 
parable which thou desirest, that 
thou mayest make it known unto 
all men. 

45 Hear, therefore, said he, 
and understand. The farm be- 
fore mentioned denotes the 
whole earth. The lord of the 
farm is he who created and 
finished all things, and gave 
virtue unto them. 

46 His son is the Holy 
Spirit; the servant is the son 
of God ; the vineyard is the 
people whom he saves. The 
stakes are the x messengers 
which are set over them by the 
Lord, to support his people. 
The weeds that are plucked up 
out of the vineyard are the sins 
which the servants of God had 
committed. 

47 The food which he sent 
him from his supper are the 
commands which he gave to his 
people by his Son. The friends 
whom he called to counsel with 
him are the holy angels whom 
he first created. The absence 
of the master of the household 
is the time that remains unto his 
coming.. 

48 I said unto him, Sir, all 
these things are very excellent, 
and wonderful, and good. But, 
continued I, could I, or any 
other man besides, though never 
so wise, have understood these 
things ? 

49 Wherefore now, sir, tell 
me what I ask. He replied, 
Ask me what thou wilt. Why, 

1 Angels. 

243 



Of cleanliness 



III. HERMAS. 



said I, is the Son of God, in this 
parable, put in the place of a 
servant 1 

50 Hearken, said he ; The 
Son of God is not put in the 
condition of a servant, but in 
great power and authority. I 
said unto him, How, sir ? I un- 
derstand it not. 

51 Because, said he, the Son 
set his I messengers over those 
whom the Father delivered 
unto him, to keep every one of 
them ; but he himself labored 
very much, and suffered much, 
that he might blot out their 
offences. 

52 For no vineyard can be 
digged without much labor and 
pains. Wherefore, having blot- 
ted out the sins of his people, he 
showed to them the paths of life, 
giving them the law which he 
had received of the Father. 

53 You see, said he, that he 
is the Lord of his people, having 
received all power from his 
Father. 2 But why the lord 
did take his son into counsel 
about dividing the inheritance, 
and the good angels, hear now. 

54 That 3 Holy Spirit, which 
was created first of all, he 
placed in the body in which 
God should dwell ; namely, in a 
chosen body, as it seemed good 
to him. This body, therefore, 
into which the 3 Holy Spirit was 
brought, served that Spirit, walk-, 
ing rightly and purely in mod- 

\ Angels. 

2 This place, which, in all the editions of 
Hennas, is wretchedly corrupted, by the 
collation of editions and MSS., is thus cor- 
rected by Dr. Grabe : " Quare autem 
Dominus in consilio adhibuerit, filium de 
heereditate, honestosque nuncios, audi : 

244 



of the body. 

esty ; nor ever denied that 
Spirit. 

55 Seeing therefore the body 
at all times obeyed the Holy 
Spirit, and labored rightly and 
chastely with him, nor faltered 
at any time; that body, being 
wearied, conversed indeed ser- 
vilely, but being mightily ap- 
proved to God with the Holy 
Spirit, was accepted by him. 

56 For such a stout course 
pleased God, because he was 
not denied in the earth, keeping 
the Holy Spirit. He called 
therefore to counsel his Son, and 
the good angels, that there might 
be some place of standing given 
to this body which had served 
the Holy Spirit without blame ; 
lest it would seem to have lost 
the reward of its service. g 

57 For every pure body shall 
receive its reward, that is found 
without spot, in which the Holy 
Spirit has been appointed to 
dwell. And thus you have now 
the exposition of this parable 
also. 

58 Sir, said I, I now under- 
stand your meaning, since I 
have heard this exposition. 
Hearken further, said he : Keep 
this thy body clean and pure, 
that the Spirit which shall dwell 
in it may bear witness unto it, 
and be judged to have been with 
thee. 

59 Also take heed that it be 
not instilled into thy mind that 

Spiritum Sanctum, qui creatus est omnium 
primus, in corpore, in quo habitaret Deus, 
collocavu ; in delecto scilicet corpore 
quod ei videbatur." 

3 Viz. The created Spirit of Christ, as 
man ; not the Holy Ghost, die Third Per- 
son of the sacred Trinity. 



Of two sorts of 



SIMILITUDE VI. 



voluptuous men. 



this body perishes, and thou abuse 
it to any lust. For if thou shalt 
defile thy body, thou shalt also 
at the same time defile the Holy 
Spirit ; and if thou shalt defile 
1 the Holy Spirit, thou shalt not 
live. 

60 And I said, What if, 
through ignorance, this should 
have been already committed, 
before a man neard these words : 
How can he attain unto salva- 
tion, who has thus defiled his 
body? 

61 He replied, As for men's 
former actions, which through 
ignorance they have committed, 
God only can afford a remedy 
unto them, for all power belong- 
eth unto him. 

62 But now guard thyself; 
and seeing God is almighty and 
merciful, he will grant a remedy 
to what thou hast formerly done 
amiss, if for the time to come 
thou shalt not defile thy body 
and spirit : 

63 For they are companions 
together, and the one cannot be 
defiled but the other will, be so 
too. Keep, therefore, both of 
them pure, and thou shalt live 
unto God. 

SIMILITUDE VI. 

Of two sorts of voluptuous men, and of their 
death, defection, and of the continuance of 
their pains. 

AS I was sitting at home, 
and praising God for all 
the things which I had seen, and 
was thinking concerning the 
commands, that they were ex- 
ceeding good, and great, and 

1 Thy body, according to some copies. 



honest, and pleasant, and such 
as were able to bring a man to 
salvation, I said thus within 
myself: I shall be happy if I 
shall walk according to these 
commands, and whosoever shall 
walk in them shall live unto 
God. 

2 Whilst I was speaking on 
this wise within myself, I saw 
him whom I had before been 
wont to see, sitting by me ; and 
he spake thus unto me : 

3 What doubtest thou con- 
cerning my commands which I 
have delivered unto thee 1 They 
are good, doubt not, but trust 
in the Lord, and thou shalt walk 
in them. For I will give thee 
strength 2 to fulfil them. 

4 These commands are prof- 
itable to those who shall repent 
of those sins which they have for- 
merly committed ; if for the time 
to come they shall not continue 
in them. 

5 Whosoever therefore ye be 
that repent, cast away from you 
the naughtiness of the present 
world ; and put on all virtue, 
and righteousness, and so shall 
ye be able to keep these com- 
mands ; and not sin from hence- 
forth any more. 

6 For if ye shall keep your- 
selves from sin for the time to 
come, ye shall cut off a great 
deal of your former sins. Walk 
in my commands, and ye shall 
live unto God : These things 
have I spoken unto you. 

7 And when he had said this, 
he added ; Let us go into the 
field, and I will show thee shep- 

2 In them. 

245 



Of two sorts of 



III. HERMAS. 



voluptuous men. 



herds of sheep. I replied, Sir, 
let us go. 

8 And we came into a cer- 
tain field, and there he showed 
me a young shepherd, * finely 
arrayed, with his garments of a 
purple colour. And he fed 
large flocks ; and his sheep were 
full of pleasure, and in much 
delight and cheerfulness ; and 
they skipping, ran here and 
there. 

9 And the shepherd took very 
great satisfaction in his flock ; 
and the countenance of that 
shepherd was cheerful, running 
up and down among his flock. 

10 ff Then the angel said 
unto me, Seest thou this shep- 
herd ? I answered, Sir, I see 
him. He said unto me, This is 
the 2 messenger of delight and 
pleasure. He therefore corrupts 
the minds of the servants of God, 
and turns them from the truth, 
delighting them with many pleas- 
ures, and they perish. 

11 For they forget the com- 
mands of the living God, and 
live in luxury and in vain pleas- 
ures ; and are corrupted by this 
evil angel, some of them even 
unto death ; and others to 3 a 
falling away. 

12 I replied, I understand 
not what you mean, by saying 
unto death, and to a falling 
away. Hear, says he ; All those 
sheep which thou sawest exceed- 
ing 4 joyful, are such as have for 
ever departed from God, and 
given themselves up to the 
5 lusts of this present time. 



1 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. 

2 Angel. 3 Ad defectionem. 



Lat. 



Exsultantia. 



Lat. 

246 



13 To these therefore there 
is no return, by repentance, 
unto life ; because that to their 
other sins they have added this, 
that they have blasphemed the 
name of the Lord. These kind 
of men are ordained unto death. 

14 But those sheep which 
thou sawest not leaping, but 
feeding in one place, are such 
as have, indeed, given themselves 
up to pleasures and delights, 
but have not spoken any thing 
wickedly against the Lord. 

15 These therefore are only 
fallen off from the truth, and so 
have yet hope laid up for them 
in repentance. For such a fall- 
ing off" hath some hope still left 
of a renewal ; but they that are 
dead, are utterly gone for ever. 

16 Again we went a little 
farther forward; and he show- 
ed me a great 6 shepherd, who 
had as it were a rustic fig- 
ure ; clad with a white goat's 
skin, having his bag upon his 
shoulder, and in his hand a 
stick full of knots, and very 
hard, and a whip in his other 
hand ; and his countenance was 
stern and sour ; enough to af- 
fright a man ; such was his look. 

17 He took from that young 
shepherd such sheep as lived in 
pleasures, but did not skip up 
and down ; and drove them into 
a certain steep craggy place, full 
of thorns and briars, insomuch 
that they could not get them- 
selves free from them ; 

18 But being entangled in 
them, fed upon thorns and 

5 In Gr. Athanas. tmdvuiais rov 'Aiwvoff 



T0VTOV. 

Agrestem. 



Lat. 



: 



Of their death 



SIMILITUDE VI. 



and defection. 



briars, and were grievously tor- 
mented with his whipping. For 
he still drove them on, and 
afforded them not any place, or 
time, to stand still. 

19 fl When therefore I saw 
them so cruelly whipped and 
afflicted, I was grieved for them ; 
because they were greatly tor- 
mented, nor had they any rest 
afforded them. 

20 And I said unto the shep- 
herd that was with me, Sir, who 
is this cruel and implacable 
shepherd, who is moved with 
no compassion towards these 
sheep? He answered, l This 
shepherd is indeed one of the 
2 holy angels, but is appointed 
for the punishment of sinners. 

21 To him therefore are de- 
livered those who have erred 
from God, and served the lusts 
and pleasures of this world. 
For this cause he punishes them 
every one according to their de- 
serts, with cruel and various 
kind of pains. 

22 Sir, said I, I would know 
what kind of pains they are 
which every one undergoes ? 
Hearken, said he ; The several 
pains and torments are those 
which men every day undergo 
in their present lives. For some 
suffer losses ; others proverty ; 
others divers sicknesses. Some 
are unsettled ; others suffer in- 
juries from those that are un- 
worthy ; others fall into many 
other trials and inconveniencies. 

23 For many with an unset- 

1 Vid. Origen. in Psalm xxxvii. Horn. 1. 

2 Righteous. In Gr. Athanas. t< rwv 
'AyyfXojj/ rwv Sucaiwv tan, &c. et sic MS. 
Lamb. 



tied design aim at many things, 
and it proflteth them not ; and 
they say that they have not suc- 
cess in their undertakings. 

24 3 They do not call to their 
mind what they have done amiss, 
and they complain of the Lord. 
When therefore they shall have 
undergone all kind of vexation 
and inconvenience ; then they 
are delivered over to me for 
good instruction, and are con- 
firmed in the faith of the Lord, 
and serve the Lord all the rest of 
their days with a pure mind. 

25 And when they begin to 
repent of their sins, then they 
call to mind their works which 
they have done amiss, and givo 
honour to God, saying, That he 
is a just Judge, and they have 
deservedly suffered all things ac- 
cording to their deeds. 

26 Then for what remains of 
their lives, they serve God with 
a pure mind ; and have success 
in all their undertakings, and 
receive from the Lord whatever 
they desire. 

27 And then they give thanks 
unto the Lord that they were de- 
livered unto me ; nor do they 
suffer any more cruelty. 

28 fl I said unto him, Sir, 
I entreat you still to show me 
now one thing. What, said he, 
dost thou 4 ask ? I said unto 
him, Are they who depart from 
the fear of God, tormented for 
the same time that they enjoyed 
their false delights and pleas- 
ures? He answered me, They 

3 MS. Lamb. Succurrit iis : Gr. Atha- 
nas. OV yiVUMJKOVGL. 

4 MS. Lamb. Inquiris. 

247 



Of voluptuous 



III. HERMAS. 



men. 



are tormented for the same 
time. 

29 And I said unto him, 
They are then tormented but 
little ; whereas they who enjoy 
their pleasures so as to forget 
God, ought to endure seven 
times as much punishment. 

30 He answered me, Thou 
art foolish, neither understand- 
est thou the efficacy of this pun- 
ishment. I said unto him, Sir, 
if I understood it I would not 
desire you to tell me. 

31 Hearken, said he, and 
learn what the force of both is, 
both of the pleasure and of the 
punishment. An hour of pleas- 
ure is terminated within its 
own space : but one hour of 
punishment has the efficacy of 
thirty days. l Whosoever there- 
fore enjoys his false pleasure for 
one day, and is one day tor- 
mented, that one day of punish- 
ment is equivalent to a whole 
year's space. 

32 Thus look how many days 
any one pursues his pleasures, so 
many years is he punished for 
it. You see, therefore, how that 
the time of worldly enjoyments 
is but short, but that of pain 
and torments a great deal more. 

33 I replied, Sir, forasmuch 
as I do not understand 2 at all 
these times of pleasure and pain, 
I entreat you that you would ex- 
plain yourself more clearly con- 
cerning them. He answered me, 
saying, Thy foolishness still 
sticks unto thee. 

34 Shouldest thou not rather 
purify thy mind, and serve God 1 



1 Origen. in Num. Horn, viii, 

248 



Take heed, lest, when thy time 
is fulfilled, thou be found still 
unwise. Hear then, as thou de- 
sirest, that thou mayest the more 
easily understand. 

35 He that gives himself up 
one day to his pleasures and de- 
lights, and does whatsoever his 
soul desires, is full of great fol- 
ly, nor understands what he 
does, but the day following for- 
gets what he did the day before. 

36 For delight and worldly 
pleasure are not kept in memory, 
by, reason of the folly that is 
rooted in them. But when pain 
and torment befall a man a day, 
he is in effect troubled the whole 
year after ; because his punish- 
ment continues firm in his mem- 
ory. 

37 Wherefore he remembers 
it with sorrow the whole year ; 
and then calls to mind his vain 
pleasure and delight, and per- 
ceives that for the sake of that 
he was punished. 

38 Whosoever therefore have 
delivered themselves over to such 
pleasures, are thus punished ; 
because that when they had life, 
they rendered themselves liable 
to death. 

39 I said unto him, Sir, what 
pleasures are hurtful 1 He an- 
swered, That is pleasure to 
every man which he doth will- 
ingly. 

40 For the angry man, grati- 
fying his passion, perceives pleas- 
ure in it ; and so the adulterer, 
and drunkard; the slanderer, 
and liar ; the covetous man, and 
the defrauder ; and whosoever 

2 MS. Lamb. Oranino. 



Fruits of 



SIMILITUDE VII. 



the repentant. 



commits any thing like unto 
these, because he 1 followeth his 
evil disposition, he receives a 
satisfaction in the doing of it. 

41 All these pleasures and 
delights are hurtful to the ser- 
vants of God. For these there- 
fore they are tormented and suf- 
fer punishment. 

42 There are also pleasures 
that bring salvation unto men. 
For many, when they do what 
is good, find pleasure in it, and 
are attracted by the delights 
of it. 

43 Now this pleasure is profit- 
able to the servants of God, and 
brings life to such men : but 
those hurtful pleasures, which 
were before mentioned, bring 
torments and punishment. 

44 And whosoever shall con- 
tinue in them, and shall not re- 
pent of what they have done, 
shall bring death upon them- 
selves. 

SIMILITUDE VII. 

That they who repent, must bring forth fruits 
worthy of repentance. 

AFTER a few days I saw 
the same person that be- 
fore talked with me, in the same 
field, in which I had seen those 
shepherds. And he said unto 
me, What seekest thou ? 

2 Sir, said I, I came to en- 
treat you that you would com- 
mand the shepherd, who is the 
minister of punishment, to de- 
part out of my house, because he 
greatly afflicts me. 

3 And he answered, It is 
necessary for thee to endure in- 
conveniencies and vexations ; for 

1 Obeveth his disease 



so that good angel hath com- 
manded concerning thee, be- 
cause he would try thee. 

4 Sir, said I, What so great 
offence have I committed, that 

1 should be delivered to this 

2 messenger ? Hearken, said he ; 
Thou art indeed guilty of many 
sins, yet not so many that thou 
shouldest be delivered to this 
2 messenger. 

5 But thy house hath com- 
mitted many sins and offences, 
and therefore that good 2 mes- 
senger, being grieved at their 
doings, commanded that for some 
time thou shouldest suffer afflic- 
tion ; that they may both repent 
of what they have done, and 
may wash themselves from all 
the lusts of this present world. 

6 When therefore they shall 
have repented, and be purified, 
then that messenger which is 
appointed over thy punishments 
shall depart from thee. 

7 I said unto him, Sir, if 
they have behaved themselves so 
as to anger that good angel, yet 
what have I done? He answer- 
ed, They cannot otherwise be 
afflicted, unless thou, who art 
the head of the family, suffer. 

8 For whatsoever thou shah 
suffer, they must needs feel it : 
but as long as thou shalt stand 
well established, they cannot ex- 
perience any vexation. 

9 I replied, But, sir, behold 
they also now repent with all 
their hearts. I know, says he, 
that they repent with all their 
hearts; but dost thou therefore 
think that their offences who re- 
s' Angel. 

249 



Of the elect 



III. HERMAS. 



pent, are immediately blotted 
out? 

10 No, they are not present- 
ly; but he that repents must 
afflict his soul, and show him- 
self humble in all his affairs, and 
undergo many and divers vexa- 
tions. 

11 And when he shall have 
suffered all things that Were ap- 
pointed for him, then perhaps 
he that made him, and formed 
all things besides, will be moved 
with compassion towards him, 
and afford him some remedy ; 
and especially if he shall per- 
ceive his heart, who repents, to 
be pure from every evil word. 

12 But at present it is expe- 
dient for thee, and for thy house, 
to be grieved ; and it is needful 
that thou shouldest endure much 
vexation, as the angel of the 
Lord who committed thee unto 
me, has commanded. 

13 Rather give thanks unto 
the Lord, that knowing what 
was to come, he thought thee 
worthy to whom he should fore- 
tell that trouble was coming upon 
thee, who art able to bear it. 

14 I said unto him, Sir, be 
but thou also with me, and I 
shall easily undergo any trouble. 
I will, said he, be with thee; 
and I will entreat the messenger 
who is set over thy punishment, 
that he would moderate his 
afflictions towards thee. 

15 And moreover thou shalt 
suffer adversity but for a little 
time ; and then thou shalt again 
be restored to thy former state ; 
only continue on in the humility 
of thy mind. 

16 Obey the Lord with a pure 

250 



and repentant, 

heart, thou, and thy house, and 
thy children ; and walk in the 
commands which I have deliver- 
ed unto thee ; and then thy re- 
pentance may be firm and pure. 

17 And if thou shalt keep 
these things with thy house, thy 
inconveniencies shall depart from 
thee. 

18 And all vexation shall in 
like manner depart from all 
those, whosoever shall walk ac- 
cording to these commands. 

SIMILITUDE VIII. 

That there are many kinds of elect, and of 
repenting sinners : and how all of them 
shall receive a reward proportionable to 
the measure of their repentance and good 
works. 

AGAIN he showed me a 
willow which covered the 
fields and the mountains, under 
whose shadow came all such as 
were called by the name of the 
Lord. 

2 And by that willow stood 
an angel of the Lord very ex- 
cellent and lofty ; and did cut 
down boughs from that willow 
with a great hook ; and reached 
out to the people that were under 
the shadow of that willow little 
rods, as it were about a foot 
long. 

3 And when all of them had 
taken them, he laid aside his 
hook, and the tree continued 
entire, as I had before seen it. 
At which I wondered, and 
mused within myself. 

4 Then that shepherd said 
unto me, Forbear to wonder 
that that tree continues whole, 
notwithstanding so many boughs 
have been cut off from it ; but 
stay a little, for now it shall be 



and of 



SIMILITUDE VIII. 



their rewards. 



shown thee, what that angel 
means, who gave those rods to 
the people. 

5 So he again demanded the 
rods of them ; and in the same 
order that every one had receiv- 
ed them, was he called to him, 
and restored his rod ; which 
when he had received, he exam- 
ined them. 

6 From some he received 
them dry and rotten, and as it 
were touched with the moth ; 
those he commanded to be sepa- 
rated from the rest, and placed 
by themselves. Others gave him 
their rods dry indeed, but not 
touched with the moth; these 
also he ordered to be set by 
themselves. 

7 Others gave in their rods 
half dry; these also were set 
apart. Others gave in their rods 
half dry, and cleft; these too 
were set by themselves. Others 
brought in their rods half dry 
and half green, and these were 
in like manner placed by them- 
selves. 

8 Others delivered up their 
rods two parts green, and the 
third dry ; and they too were set 
apart. Others brought their rods 
two parts dry, and the third 
green ; and were also placed by 
themselves. 

9 Others delivered up their 
rods less dry (for there was but 
a very little, to wit, their tops 
dry), but they had clefts, and 
these were set in like manner by 
themselves. In the rods of 
others there was but a little 
gTeen, and the rest dry; and 
these were set aside by them- 
selves. 



10 Others came, and brought 
their rods green as they had re- 
ceived them, and the greatest 
part of the people brought their 
rods thus; and the messenger 
greatly rejoiced at these, and 
they also were put apart by 
themselves. 

11 Others brought their rods 
not only green but full of branch- 
es; and these were set aside, 
being also received by the angel 
with great joy. Others brought 
their rods green with branches, 
and those also some fruit upon 
them. 

12 They who had such rods, 
were very cheerful ; and the 
angel himself took great joy at 
them ; nor was the shepherd 
that stood with me, less pleased 
with them. 

13 ff Then the angel of the 
Lord commanded crowns to be 
brought ; and the crowns were 
brought made of palms ; and the 
angel crowned those men in 
whose rods he found the young 
branches with fruit; and com- 
manded them to go into the 
tower. 

14 He also sent those into the 
tower, in whose rods he found 
branches without fruit, giving a 
seal unto them. For they had 
the same garment, that is, one 
white as snow; with which he 
bade them go into the tower. 
And so he did to those who re- 
turned their rods green as they 
received them ; giving them a 
white garment, and so sent them 
away to go into the tower. 

15 Having done this, he said 
to the shepherd that was with 
me, I go my way ; but do thou 

251 



Of the elect 



III. HERMAS. 



and repentant, 



send these within the walls, 
every one into the place in 
which he has deserved to dwell ; 
examining first their rods, but 
examine them diligently, that no 
one deceive thee. But and if 
any one shall escape thee, I will 
try them upon the altar. Having 
said this to the shepherd, he 
departed. 

16 After he was gone the 
shepherd said unto me, Let us 
take the rods from them all, and 
plant them ; if perchance they 
may grow green again. I said 
unto him, Sir, how can those 
dry rods ever grow green again ? 

17 He answered me, That 
tree is a willow, and always loves 
to live. If therefore these rods 
shall be planted, and receive a 
little moisture, many of them 
will recover themselves. 

18 Wherefore I will try, and 
will pour water upon them, and 
if any of them can live, I will 
rejoice with him ; but if not, at 
least by this means I shall be 
found not to have neglected my 
part. 

19 Then he commanded me to 
call them ; and they all came 
unto him, every one in the rank 
in which he stood, and gave him 
their rods ; which having receiv- 
ed, he planted every one of them 
in their several orders. 

20 And after he had planted 
them all, he poured much water 
upon them, insomuch that they 
were covered with water, and 
did not appear above it. Then 
when he had watered them, he 

1 Moved. 

252 



said unto me, Let us depart, 
and after a little time we will re- 
turn and visit them. 

21 For he who created this 
tree, would have all those live 
that received rods from it. And 
I hope, now that these rods are 
thus watered, many of them, re- 
ceiving in the moisture, will re- 
cover. 

22 fl I said unto him, Sir, 
tell me what this tree denotes ? 
For I am greatly 1 astonished, 
that after so many branches have 
been cut off, it seems still to be 
whole ; nor does there any thing 
the less of it appear to remain, 
which greatly amazes me. 

23 He answered, Hearken. 
This great tree which covers the 
plains and the mountains, and 
all the earth, is the law of God, 
published throughout the whole 
world. 

24 Now 2 this law is the Son 
of God, who is preached to all 
the ends of the earth. The peo- 
ple that stand under its shadow, 
are those which have heard his 
preaching, and believed. 

25 The great and venerable 
angel which you saw, was Mi- 
chael, who has the power over 
this people, and governs them. 
For he has planted the law in 
the hearts of those who have 
believed : and therefore he visits 
them to whom he has given the 
law, to see if they have kept it. 

26 And he examines every 
one's rod ; and of those, many 
that are weakened : for those 
rods arc the law of the Lord. 



2 MS. Lamb. Haec nutem lex Filius 
Dei est, praedicatus, &c. 






and of 



SIMILITUDE VIII. 



their rewards* 



Then he discerns all those who 
have not kept the law, knowing 
the place of every one of them. 

27 I said unto him, Sir, why 
did he send away some to the 
tower, and left others here to 
you I He replied, Those who 
have transgressed the law which 
they received from him, are left 
in my power, that they may re- 
pent of their sins : but they who 

1 fulfilled the law and kept it, 
are under his power. 

28 But who then, said I, are 
those who went into the tower 
crowned ? He replied, All such 
as have striven with the devil, 
have overcome him, are crown- 
ed : and they are those who 
have suffered hard things, that 
they might keep the law. 

29 But they who gave up their 
rods green, and with young 
branches, but without fruit, have 
indeed endured trouble for the 
same law, but have not suffered 
death; neither have they de- 
nied their holy law. 

30 They who delivered up 
their rods green as they received 
them, are those who were modest 
and just, and have lived with a 
very pure mind, and kept the 
commandments of God. 

31 The rest thou shalt know, 
when I shall have considered 
those rods which I have planted 
and watered. 

32 fi After a few days we re- 
turned, and in the same place 
stood that glorious angel, and I 
stood by him. Then he said 
unto me, Gird thyself with a 

2 towel, and serve me. 

* Satisfied. 

22 



33 And I girded myself with 
a clean towel, which was made 
of coarse cloth. And when he 
saw me girded, and ready to 
minister unto him, he said, Call 
those, men whose rods have been 
planted, every one in his order 
as they gave them. 

34 And he brought me into 
the field, and I called them all, 
and they all stood ready in their 
several ranks. Then he said 
unto them, Let every one pluck 
up his rod, and bring it unto me. 
And first they delivered theirs, 
whose rods had been dry and 
rotten. 

35 And those whose rods still 
continued so, he commanded to 
stand apart. Then they came 
whose rods had been dry, but not 
rotten. Some of these delivered 
in their rods green ; others dry 
and rotten, as if they had been 
touched by the moth. 

36 Those who gave them 
up green, he commanded to 
stand apart; but those whose 
rods were dry and rotten, he 
caused to stand with the first 
sort. Then came they whose 
rods had been half dry, and 
cleft: many of these gave up 
their rods green, and uncleft. 

37 Others delivered them up 
green with branches, and fruit 
upon the branches, like unto 
theirs who went crowned into 
the tower. Others delivered 
them up dry, but not rotten : and 
some gave them as they were be- 
fore, half dry, and cleft. 

38 Every one of these he or- 
dered to stand apart ; some by 

2 Sabano. Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 129 
not. d. 

253 



Of the elect 



III. HERMAS. 



and repentant, 



themselves, others in their re- 
spective ranks. 

39 Then came they whose 
rods had been green, but cleft. 
These delivered their rods alto- 
gether green, and stood in their 
own order. And the shepherd 
rejoiced at these, because they 
were all changed, and free from 
their clefts. 

40 Then they gave in their 
rods, who had them half green 
and half dry. Of these some 
were found wholly green, others 
half dry ; others green with young 
shoots. And all these were sent 
away, every one to his proper 
rank. 

41 Then they gave up their 
rods, who had them before two 
parts green, and the third dry. 
Many of these gave in their rods 
green ; many half dry ; the rest 
dry, but not rotten. So these 
were sent away, each to his prop- 
er place. 

42 Then came they who had 
before their rods two parts dry 
and the third green ; many of 
these delivered up their rods half 
dry ; others dry and rotten ; others 
half dry and cleft ; but few green. 
And all these were set every one 
in his own rank. 

43 Then they reached in their 
rods, 1 in which there was be- 
fore but a little green, and the 
rest dry. Their rods were for the 
most, part found green, having lit- 
tle boughs, with fruit upon them ; 
and the rest altogether green. 

44 And the shepherd upon 
sight of these rejoiced exceed- 
ingly, because he had found 

1 MS. Lamb. Minimum habuerant 
viride. 

254 



them thus : and they also went 
to their proper orders. 

45 fl Now after he had ex- 
amined all their rods, he said 
unto me, I told thee that this 
tree loved life : thou seest how 
many have repented, and attain- 
ed unto salvation. Sir, said I, 
I see it. 

46 That thou mightest know, 
saith he, that the goodness and 
mercy of the Lord is great, and 
to be had in honour ; who gave 
his spirit to them that were found 
worthy of repentance. 

47 I answered, Sir, why then 
did not all of them repent ? He 
replied, Those whose minds the 
Lord foresaw would be pure, and 
that they would serve him with 
all their hearts, to them he gave 
repentance. 

48 But for those whose deceit 
and wickedness he beheld, and 
perceived that they would not 
truly return unto him, to them 
he denied any return unto re- 
pentance, lest they should again 
blaspheme his law with wicked 
words. 

49 I said unto him, Now, sir, 
make known unto me, what is 
the place of every one of those 
who have given up their rods, 
and what their 2 portion ; that 
when they who have not kept 
their seal entire, hut have wasted 
the seal which they received, 
shall hear and believe these 
things, they may acknowledge 
their evil deeds and repent ; 

50 And receiving again their 
seal from you, may give glory to 
God, that he was moved with 

2 Seat. 



and of 



SIMILITUDE VIII. 



their rewards. 



compassion towards them, and 
sent you to renew their spirits. 

51 Hearken, said he ; They 
whose rods have been found dry 
and rotten, and as it were touched 
with the moth, are the deserters 
and the betrayers of the church. 

52 Who, with the rest of their 
crimes, have also blasphemed 
the Lord, and denied his name 
which had been called upon 
them. Therefore all these are 
dead unto God ; and thou seest 
that none of them have repented, 
although they have heard my 
commands which thou hast de- 
livered unto them. From these 
men therefore life is far distant. 

53 They also who have de- 
livered up their rods dry, but not 
rotten, have not been far from 
them. For they have been coun- 
terfeits, and brought in evil doc- 
trines ; and have perverted the 
servants of God ; but especially 
those who had sinned ; not suf- 
fering them to return unto re- 
pentance, but keeping them back 
by their false doctrines. 

54 These therefore have hope ; 
and thou seest that many of them 
have repented, since the time 
that thou hast laid my commands 
before them; and many more 
will yet repent. But they that 
shall not repent, shall lose both 
repentance and life. 

55 But they that have repent- 
ed, their place is begun to be 
within the first walls, and some 
of them are even gone into the 
tower. Thou seest therefore, 
said he, that in the repentance 
of sinners there is life ; but that 
for those who repent not, death 
is prepared. 



56 j[ Hear now concerning 
those who gave in their rods half 
dry, and full of clefts. They 
whose rods were only half dry, 
are the doubtful; for they are 
neither living nor dead. 

57 But they who delivered 
in their rods not only half dry, 
but also full of clefts, are both 
doubtful and evil speakers ; who 
detract from those that are ab- 
sent, and have never peace 
among themselves, and that envy 
one another. 

58 Howbeit to these also repent- 
ance is offered ; for thou seest 
that some of these have repented. 

59 Now all those of this kind 
who have quickly repented, shall 
have a place in the tower ; but 
they who have been more slow 
in their repentance, shall dwell 
within the walls ; but they that 
shall not repent, but shall con- 
tinue on in their wicked doings, 
shall die the death. 

CO As for those who had their 
rods green, but yet cleft, they are 
such as were always faithful and 
good, but they had some enmity 
and strife among themselves con- 
cerning dignity and pre-emi- 
nence. 

61 Now all such are vain and 
without understanding, as con- 
tend with one another about these 
things. 

62 Nevertheless, seeing they 
are otherwise good, if when they 
shall hear these commands, they 
shall amend themselves, and shall 
at my persuasion suddenly re- 
pent ; they shall at last dwell in 
the tower, as they who have 
truly and worthily repented. 

63 But if any one shall again 

255 



Of the elect 

return to his dissension, he shall 
be shut out from the tower, and 
shall lose his life. For the life 
of those who keep the command- 
ments of the Lord, consists in 
doing what they are commanded ; 
not in principality, or in any 
other dignity. 

64 For by forbearance and 
humility of mind, men shall at- 
tain unto life ; but by seditions, 
and contempt of the law, they 
shall purchase death unto them- 
selves. 

65 |f They who in their rods 
had half dry and half green, are 
those who are engaged in many 
affairs of the world ; and are 
not joined to the saints ; for 
which cause half of them liveth, 
and half is dead. 

66 Wherefore many of these, 
since the time that they have 
heard my commands, have re- 
pented, and begun to dwell in 
the tower. But some of them 
have wholly fallen away ; to these 
there is no more place for re- 
pentance. 

67 For by reason of their 
present interests, they have blas- 
phemed and denied God; and 
for this wickedness they have 
lost life. And of these many are 
still in doubt; these may yet 
return; and if they shall quickly 
repent, they shall have a place in 
the tower ; but if they shall be 
more slow, they shall dwell 
within the walls ; but if they 
shall not repent, they shall die. 

68 As for those who had two 
parts of their rods green, and the 



1 Lamb. MS. Quamplurimis gencribus 
{lificiati. 

256 



III. HERMAS. 



and repentant, 

third dry ; they have * by mani- 
fold ways denied the Lord. Of 
these many have repented, and 
found a place in the tower ; and 
many have altogether departed 
from God. These have utterly 
lost life. 

69 And some, being in a 
doubtful state, have raised up 
dissensions : these may yet re- 
turn, if they shall suddenly re- 
pent, and not continue in their 
lusts ; but if they shall con- 
tinue in their evil doing they 
shall die. 

70 |j They who gave in their 
rods two parts dry, and the other 
green, are those who have in- 
deed been faithful, but withal 
rich and full of good things ; and 
thereupon have desired to be 
famous among the heathen which 
are without, and have thereby 
fallen into great pride, and be^ 
gun to aim at high matters, and 
to forsake the truth : 

71 Nor were they joined to 
the 2 saints, but lived with the 
heathen ; and this life seemed 
the more pleasant to them. How- 
beit they have not departed from 
God, but continued in the faith ; 
only they have not wrought the 
works of faith. 

72 Many therefore of these 
have repented ; and begun to 
dwell in the tower. Yet others 
still living among the heathen 
people, and being lifted up with 
their vanities, have utterly fallen 
away from God, and followed 
the works and wickednesses of 
the heathen. These kind of 



* Righteous. 



and of 



SIMILITUDE VIII. 



their rewards. 



men therefore are reckoned 
among strangers to the gospel. 

73 Others of these began to 
be doubtful in their minds ; 
despairing, by reason of their 
wicked doings, ever to attain 
unto salvation. Others, being 
thus made doubtful, did more- 
over stir up dissensions. 

74 To these therefore, and to 
those who, by reason of their do- 
ings, are become doubtful, there 
is still hope of return ; but they 
must repent quickly, that their 
place may be in the tower. But 
they that repent not, but continue 
still in their pleasures, are nigh 
unto death. 

75 fl As for those who gave 
in their rods green, excepting 
their tops, which only were dry, 
and had clefts; these were al- 
ways good, and faithful, and 
1 upright before God : neverthe- 
less they sinned a little, by reason 
of their empty pleasures and tri- 
fling thoughts, which they had 
within themselves. 

76 Wherefore many of them, 
when they heard my words, re- 
pented forthwith ; and began to 
dwell in the tower. Neverthe- 
less some grew doubtful, and 
others to their doubtful minds 
added dissensions. To these 
therefore there is still hope of 
return, because they were al- 
ways good ; but they shall hardly 
be moved. 

77 As for those, lastly, who 
gave in their rods dry, their tops 
only excepted, which alone were 
green ; they are such as have 
believed indeed in God, but have 



i Probi. 

22* 



lived in wickedness ; yet without 
departing from God ; having al- 
ways willingly borne the name 
of the Lord ; and readily received 
into their houses the servants of 
God. 

78 Wherefore hearing these 
things, they returned, and with- 
out delay repented, and lived in 
all righteousness. And some of 
them suffered death ; others read- 
ily underwent many trials, be- 
ing mindful of their evil doings. 

79 ff And when he had ended 
his explications of all the rods, 
he said unto me, Go, and say 
unto all men that they repent, 
and they shall live unto God : 
because the Lord, being moved 
with great clemency, hath sent 
me to preach repentance unto 
all ; 

80 Even unto those who, by 
reason of their evil doings, de- 
serve not to attain unto salvation. 
But the Lord will be patient, 
and keep the invitation that was 
made by his Son. 

811 said unto him, Sir, I hope 
that all when they shall hear 
these things will repent. For I 
trust that every one acknowledg- 
ing his crimes, and taking up the 
fear of the Lord, will return unto 
repentance. 

82 He said unto me, Whoso- 
ever shall repent with all their 
hearts, and cleanse themselves 
from all the evils that I have 
before mentioned, and not add 
any thing more to their sins, 
shall receive from the Lord the 
cure of their former iniquities, 
if they shall not make any doubt 
of these commands, and shall 
live unto God. 

257 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



83 But they that shall continue 
to add to their transgressions, 
and shall still converse with the 
lusts of this present world, shall 
condemn themselves unto death. 
But do thou walk in these com- 
mands, and thou shalt live unto 
God ; and whosoever shall walk 
in these, and exercise them 
rightly, shall live unto God. 

84 And having showed me all 
these things, he said, I will show 
thee the rest in a few days. 

SIMILITUDE IX. 

The greatest mysteries of the militant and 
triumphant church which is to be built. 

AFTER I had written the 
Commands and Similitudes 
of the Shepherd, the Angel of 
Repentance, he came unto me, 
and said to me, I will show thee 
all those things which the 1 Spir- 
it spake with thee under the 
figure of the Church. For that 
Spirit is the Son of God. 

2 And because thou wert 
weak in body, it was not de- 
clared unto thee by the angel, 
until thou wert strengthened by 
the Spirit, and increased in 
force, that thou mightest also see 
the angel. 

3 For then indeed the build- 
ing of the tower was very well 
and gloriously shown unto thee 
by the Church ; nevertheless 
thou sawest all things shown 
unto thee as it were by a virgin. 

4 But now thou art enlight- 
ened by the angel, but yet by the 
same Spirit. But thou must 
consider all things diligently ; 
for therefore am I sent into 
thine house by that venerable 

1 See above, Book I. 

2 Angel. 

25S 



2 messenger, that when thou 
shalt have seen all things power- 
fully, thou may est not be afraid 
as before. 

5 And he led me to the 

3 height of a mountain of Ar- 
cadia, and we sat upon its top^ 
And he showed me a great plain, 
and about it twelve mountains in 
different figures. 

6 The first was black as soot. 
The second was smooth, without 
herbs. The third was full of 
thorns and thistles. - The fourth 
had herbs half dried ; of which 
the upper part was green, but 
that next the root was dry ; and 
some of the herbs, when the sun 
grew hot, were dry. 

7 The fifth mountain was very 
rugged, but yet had green herbs. 
The sixth mountain was full of 
clefts, some lesser, and some 
greater ; and in those clefts grew 
grass, not flourishing, but which 
seemed to be withering. 

8 The seventh mountain had 
delightful pasture, and was whol- 
ly fruitful ; and all kinds of cat- 
tle, and of the birds of heaven, 
fed upon it ; and the more they 
fed of it, the more and better did 
the grass grow. 

9 The eighth mountain was 
full of fountains, and from those 
fountains were watered all kinds 
of the creatures of God. The 
ninth mountain had no water at 
all, but was wholly destitute of 
it ; and nourished deadly ser- 
pents, and destructive to men. 

10 The tenth mountain was 
full of tall trees, and altogether 
shady ; and under the shade of 

3 Ascent. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



them lay cattle resting and chew- 
ing the cud. 

11 The eleventh mountain 
was full of the thickest trees ; 
and those trees seemed to be 
loaded with several sorts of 
fruits ; that whosoever saw them 
could not choose but desire to 
eat of their fruit. 

12 The twelfth mountain was 
altogether white, and of a most 
pleasant aspect, and itself gave 
a most excellent beauty to itself. 

13 ff Iii the middle of the l plain 
he showed me a huge white rock, 
which rose out of the plain, and 
the rock was higher than those 
mountains, and was square ; so 
that it seemed capable of sup- 
porting the whole world. 

14 It looked to me to be old, 
yet had in it a new gate, which 
seemed to have been newly hewn 
out in it. Now that gate was 
bright beyond the sun itself; 
insomuch that I greatly admired 
at its light. 

15 About that gate stood 
twelve virgins ; of which four 
that stood at the corners of the 
gate, seemed to me to be the 
chiefest, although the rest also 
were of worth : and ihey stood 
in the four parts of the gate. 

16 It added also to the grace 
of those virgins that they stood in 
pairs clothed with linen gar- 
ments, and decently girded ; 
their right arms being at liberty, 
as if they were about to lift up 
some 2 burden ; for so they were 
adorned, and were exceeding 
cheerful and ready. 

17 When I saw this, I won- 

1 Origen in Horn. iii. in Ezech. 



dered with myself to see such 
great and noble things. And 
again I admired upon the ac- 
count of those virgins, that they 
were so handsome and delicate ; 
and stood with such firmness 
and constancy, as if they would 
carry the whole heaven. 

18 And as I was thinking 
thus within myself, the shepherd 
said unto me, What thinkest thou 
within thyself, and art disquieted, 
and fillest thyself with care ? 

19 Do not seem to consider, 
as if thou wert wise, what thou 
dost not understand, but pray 
unto the Lord, that thou may est 
have ability to understand it: 
what is to come thou canst not 
understand, but thou seest that 
which is before thee. 

20 Be not therefore disquieted 
at those things which thou canst 
not see; but get the under- 
standing of those which thou 
seest. 

21 Forbear to be curious; 
and I will show thee all things 
that I ought to declare unto 
thee : but first consider what yet 
remains. 

22 fl And when .he had said 
this unto me, I looked up, and 
behold I saw six tall and venera- 
ble men coming; their counte- 
nances were all alike ; and they 
called a certain multitude of 
men; and they who came at 
their call were also tall and 
stout. 

23 And those six commanded 
them to build a certain tower 
over that gate. And immedi- 
ately there began to be a great 



2 Fascem aliquem. 

259 



Lat. 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



noise of those men running here 
and there about the gate, who 
were come together to build the 
tower. 

24 But those virgins which 
stood about the gate perceived 
that the building of the tower 
was to be hastened by them. 
And they stretched out their 
hands, as if they were to receive 
somewhat from them to do. 

25 Then those six men com- 
manded, that they should lift up 
stones out of a certain deep 
place, and prepare them for the 
building of the tower. And 
there were lifted up ten white 
stones, square, and 1 not cut 
round. 

26 Then those six men called 
the virgins to them, and com- 
manded them to carry all the 
stones that were to be put into 
the building ; and having carried 
them through the gate, to deliver 
them to those that were about to 
build that tower. 

27 Immediately the virgins 
began all of them together to 
lift up those stones, that were 
before taken out of the deep. 

28 fl And they also who stood 
about the gate did carry stones 
in such a manner, that those 
stones which seemed to be the 
strongest were laid at the cor- 
ners, the rest were put into the 
sides ; 

29 And thus they carried all 
the stones, and bringing them 
through the gate, delivered them 
to the builders, as they had been 
commanded; who receiving them 
at their hands, built with them. 

30 But this building was made 

1 So Cotelerius in loc. 
260 



upon that great rock, and over 
the gate, and by these the whole 
tower was supported. But the 
building of the ten stones filled 
the whole gate, which began to 
be made for the foundation of 
that tower. 

31 After those ten stones did 
five and twenty others 2 rise up 
out of the deep ; and these were 
placed in the building of the 
same tower ; being lifted up by 
those virgins, as the others had 
been before. 

32 After these did five and 
thirty others 2 rise up ; and these 
were also in like manner fitted 
into the same work. Then forty 
other stones were brought up, 
and all these were added unto 
the building of that tower. 

33 So there began to be four 
ranks in the foundation of that 
tower ; and the stones ceased to 
2 rise out of the deep ; and they 
also which built rested a little. 

34 Again, those six men com- 
manded the multitude, that they 
should bring stones out of those 
twelve mountains to the building 
of the same tower. 

35 So they cut out of all the 
mountains stones of divers col- 
ours, and brought them, and 
gave them to the virgins ; which 
when they had received, they 
carried them, and delivered them 
into the building of the tower. 

36 In which when they were 
built they became white, and 
different from what they were 
before ; for they were all alike, 
and did change their former 
colours. And some were reached 
up by the men themselves, which 

2 MS. Lamb. Ascenderunt. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



when they came into the build- 
ing, continued such as they 
were put in. 

37 These neither became 
white, nor different from what 
they were before ; because they 
were not carried by the virgins 
through the gate. Wherefore 
these stones were disagreeable 
in the building ; which, when 
those six men perceived, they 
commanded them to be removed, 
and put again in the place from 
which they were brought. 

38 And they said to those 
who brought those stones, Do 
not ye reach up to us any stones 
for this building, but lay them 
down by the tower, that these 
virgins may carry them and 
reach them to us. 

39 For unless they shall be 
carried by these virgins through 
this gate, they cannot change 
their colours : therefore do not 
labour in vain. 

40 fl So the building that day 
was done, howbeit the tower was 
not finished; for it was after- 
wards to be built ; therefore now 
also there was some delay made 
of it. 

41 And these six men com- 
manded those that built to de- 
part, and as it were to rest for 
some time ; but they ordered 
those virgins that they should 
not depart from the tower : now 
they seemed to me to be left for 
the guarding of it. 

42 When all were departed, 
I said unto that shepherd, Sir, 
why is not the building of the 
tower finished ? Because it can- 
not, said he, be finished until its 
Lord comes, and approves of the 



building ; that if he shall find 
any stones in it that are not 
good, they may be changed ; for 
this tower is built according to 
his will. 

43 Sir, said I, I would know 
what the building of this tower 
signifies ; as also I would be in- 
formed concerning this rock, and 
this gate, 

44 And concerning the moun- 
tains, and the virgins, and the 
stones that did rise out of the 
deep, and were not cut, but put 
into the building just as they 
came forth; and why the ten 
stones were first laid in the 
foundation ; then the twenty- 
five ; then thirty-five ; then forty. 

45 Also concerning those 
stones that were put into the 
building, and again taken out, 
and carried back into their place? 
Fulfil, I pray, the desire of my 
soul as to all these things, and 
manifest all unto me. 

46 And he said unto me, If 
thou shalt not be dull, thou shalt 
know all, and shalt see all the 
other things that are about to 
happen in this tower ; and shalt 
understand diligently all these 
similitudes. 

47 And after a few days, we 
came into the same place where 
we had sat before ; and he said 
unto me, Let us go unto the 
tower ; for the Lord of it will 
come and examine it. 

48 So we came thither, and 
found none but those virgins 
there. And he asked them 
whether the Lord of that tower 
was come thither. And they re- 
plied, that he would be there pres- 
ently, to examine the building. 

261 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



49 If After a very little while 
I saw a. great multitude of men 
coming, and in the middle of 
them a man so tall, that he sur- 
passed the tower in ] height. 

50 About him were those six, 
who before commanded in the 
building, and all the rest of those 
who had built that tower, and 
many others of great dignity : 
and the virgins that kept the 
tower ran to meet him, and 
kissed him, and began to walk 
near unto him. 

51 But he examined the build- 
ing with so much care that he 
handled every stone ; and struck 
every one with a rod which he 
held in his hand : 

52 Of which some being so 
struck turned black as soot ; 
others were rough; some looked 
as if they had cracks in them ; 
others seemed maimed ; some 
neither black nor white ; some 
looked sharp, and agreed not 
with the other stones, and others 
were full of spots. 

53 These were the several 
kinds of those stones which were 
not found proper in the building : 
all which the Lord commanded 
to be taken out of the tower, and 
laid near it, and other stones to 
be brought, and put in their 
places. 

54 And they that built, asked 
him from which of the mountains 
he would have stones brought to 
put in the place of those that were 
laid aside. But he forbade them 
to bring any from the mountains, 
and commanded that they should 
take them out of a certain field 
that was near. 

1 Greatness. 

262 



of the church 

55 So they digged in that 
field, and found many bright, 
square stones, and some also that 
were round. Howbeit, all that 
were found in that field were 
taken away, and carried through 
the gate by those virgins ; and 
those of them that were square 
were fitted and put into the places 
of those that were pulled out. 

56 But the round ones were 
not put into the building, because 
they were hard, and it would 
have required too much time to 
cut them ; but they were placed 
about the tower, as if they should 
hereafter be cut square, and put 
into the building ; for they were 
very white. 

57 |f When he who was chief 
in dignity, and lord of the whole 
tower, saw this, he called to him 
the shepherd that was with me, 
and gave him the stones that 
were rejected and laid about 
the tower, and said unto him, 
Cleanse these stones with all 
care, and fit them into the build- 
ing of the tower, that they may 
agree with the rest ; but those that 
will not suit with the rest, cast 
away afar off from the tower. 

58 When he had thus com- 
manded him, he departed, with 
all those that came with him to 
the tower : but those virgins still 
stood about the tower to keep it. 

59 And I said unto that shep- 
herd, How can these stones, 
seeing they have been rejected, 
return into the building of this 
tower? He replied, I will cut off 
the greatest part from these 
stones, and will add them to the 
building, and they will agree 
with the rest. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



60 And I said, Sir,how will they 
be able to fill the same place, when 
they shall be so much cut away ? 
He answered, They that shall 
be found too little, shall be put 
into the middle of the building, 
and the greater shall be placed 
without, and keep them in. 

61 When he had said thus 
unto me, he added, Let us go, 
and after three days we will re- 
turn, and I will put these stones, 
being cleansed, into the tower. 

62 For all these that are 
about the tower must be cleansed, 
lest the master of the house 
chance to come upon the sud- 
den, and find those which are 
about the tower unclean ; 1 and 
be so exasperated that these 
stones should never be put into 
the building of this tower, and I 
shall be looked upon to have 
been 2 unmindful of my master's 
commands. 

63 When therefore we came 
after three days to the tower, he 
said unto me, Let us examine all 
these stones, and let us see which 
of them may go into the building. 
I answered, Sir, let us see. 

64 ft And first of all, we be- 
gan to consider those which had 
been black ; for they were found 
just such as they were when 
they were pulled out of the tow- 
er : wherefore, he commanded 
them to be removed from the 
tower, and put by themselves. 

65 Then he examined those 
which had been rough ; and com- 
manded many of those to be cut 
round, and to be fitted by the 
virgins into the building of the 

1 MS. Lamb. Ita exasperetur ; ut hi 
lapides. 



tower : so they took them, and 
fitted them into the middle of 
the building ; and he command- 
ed the rest to be laid by with the 
black ones, for they also were 
become black. 

66 Next he considered those 
which were full of cracks, and 
many of those also he ordered to 
be pared away, and so to be add- 
ed to the rest of the building, 
by the same virgins. 

67 These were placed with- 
out, because they were found 
entire ; but the residue, through 
the multitude of their cracks, 
could not be reformed, and 
therefore were cast away from 
the building of the tower. 

68 Then he considered those 
that had been maimed ; many of 
these had cracks, and were be- 
come black ; others had large 
clefts : these he commanded to 
be placed with those that were 
rejected. 

69 But the rest being cleansed 
and reformed, he commanded 
to be put into the building. 
These therefore those virgins 
took up, and fitted into the mid- 
dle of the building, because they 
were but weak. 

70 After these he examined 
those which were found half 
white and half black ; and many 
of those were now black ; these 
also he ordered to be laid among 
those that were cast away. 

71 The rest were found alto- 
gether white ; those were taken 
up by the virgins, and fitted into 
the same tower : 3 and these 
were put in the outside, because 

2 MS. Lamb. Negljgens patris-familias. 

3 Vid. MS. Lamb, Edit.Oxon. p. 157. 

263 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



they were found entire ; that so 
they might keep in those that 
were placed in the middle, for 
nothing was cut off from them. 

72 Next he looked upon those 
1 which had been hard and 
sharp ; but few of these were 
made use of, because they could 
not be cut, for they were found 
very hard : but the rest were 
formed, and fitted by the virgins 
into the middle of the building, 
because they were more weak. 

73 Then he considered those 
which had spots ; of these a few 
were found black, and these 
were carried to their fellows. 
The rest were white and entire ; 
and they were fitted by the vir- 
gins into the building, and 
placed in the outside, by reason 
of their strength. 

74 fl After this he came to 
consider those stones which 
were white and round ; and he 
said unto me, What shall we do 
with these stones? I answered, 
Sir, I cannot tell. 

75 He replied, Canst thou 
think of nothing then for these I 
I answered, Sir, I understand 
not this art ; neither am I a stone- 
cutter, nor can I tell any 
thing. 

76 And he said, Seest thou 
not that they are very round ? 
Now to make them square, I must 
cut off a great deal from them ; 
howbeit, it is necessary that 
some of these should go into the 
building of the tower. 

77 I answered, If it be ne- 
cessary, why do you perplex 
yourself, and not rather choose, 
if you have any choice among 

1 MS. Lamb. Fuerant. 

264 



them, and fit them into the build- 
ing? 

78 Upon this he chose out 
the largest and brightest, and 
squared them ; which when he 
had done, the virgins took them 
up, and placed them in the out- 
side of the building. 

79 And the rest that remain- 
ed, were carried back into the 
same field from which they were 
taken ; howbeit, they were not 
cast away ; because, said he, 
there is yet a little wanting to 
this tower, which is to be built; 
and perhaps the Lord will have 
these stones fitted into this build- 
ing, because they are exceed- 
ing white. 

80 Then were there called 
twelve very stately women, cloth- 
ed with a black garment, girded, 
and their shoulders free, and 
their hair loose. These seemed 
to me to be country women. 

81 And the shepherd com- 
manded them to take up those 
stones which were cast out of the 
building, and carry them back 
to the mountains out of which 
they were taken. 

82 And they took them all up 
joyfully, and carried them back 
to their places from whence they 
had been taken. 

83 When not one stone re- 
mained about the tower, he said 
unto me, Let us go about this 
tower, and see whether any 
thing be wanting to it. 

84 We began therefore to go 
round about it ; and when he 
saw that it was handsomely built, 
he began to be very glad : for it 
was so beautifully framed, that 
any one that had seen it must 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



have been in love with the build- 
ing : 

85 For it seemed to be all but 
one stone, nor did a joint any 
where appear ; but it looked as 
if it had all been cut out of one 
rock. 

86 1j And when I diligently 
considered what a tower it was, 
I was extremely pleased : and he 
said unto me, Bring hither some 
lime and little shells, that I may 
fill up the * spaces of those 
stones that were taken out of the 
building, and put in again : for 
all things about the tower must 
he made even. 

87 And I did as he com- 
manded me, and brought them 
unto him : and he said unto me, 
Be ready to help me, and this 
work will quickly be finished. 

88 He therefore filled up the 
spaces of those stones, and com- 
manded the place about the 
tower to be cleansed. 

89 Then those virgins took 
besoms, and cleansed all the 
place around, and took away all 
the rubbish, and threw on water : 
which being done, the place be- 
came delightful, and the tower 
beauteous. 

90 Then he said unto me, All 
is now clean : if the Lord should 
come to finish the tower, he will 
find nothing whereby to com- 
plain of us. 

91 When he had said this he 
would have departed. But I laid 
hold on his bag, and began to 
entreat him for the Lord's sake 
that he would explain to me all 
things that he had shown me. 

92 He said unto me, I have 

1 Formas. Lat. 

23 



at present a little business ; but 
I will suddenly explain all things 
unto thee. Tarry here for me 
till I come. 

93 I said unto him, Sir, what 
shall I do here alone ? He an- 
swered, Thou art not alone, 
seeing all these virgins are with 
thee. 

94 I said, Sir, deliver me 
then unto them. Then he called 
them, and said unto them, I 
commend this man unto you till 
I shall come. 

95 So I remained with those 
virgins : now they were cheerful 
and courteous unto me ; especial- 
ly the four, which seemed to be 
the chiefest among them. 

96 J[ Then those virgins said 
unto me, That shepherd will not 
return hither to-day. I said 
unto them, What then shall I 
do 1 They answered, Tarry for 
him till the evening, if perhaps 
he may come and speak with 
thee ; but if not, yet thou shalt 
continue with us till he does 
come. 

97 I said unto them, I will 
tarry for him till evening ; but 
if he comes not by that time, I 
will go home, and return hither 
again the next morning. 

98 They answered me, Thou 
art delivered unto us ; thou 
mayest not depart from us. I 
said, Where shall I tarry? 

99 They replied, Thou shalt 
sleep with us as a brother, not as 
a husband : for thou art our 
brother, and we are ready from 
henceforth to dwell with thee; 
for thou art very dear to us. 

100 Howbeit I was ashamed 
to continue with them. But she 

265 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



that seemed to be the chiefest 
amongst them, embraced me, 
and began to kiss me. And the 
rest, when they saw that I was 
kissed by her, began also to kiss 
me as a brother ; and led me 
about the tower, and played with 
me. 

101 Some of them also sung 
psalms, others made up the 
chorus with them. But I walked 
about the tower with them, re- 
joicing silently, and seeming to 
myself to be grown young 
again. 

102 When the evening came 
on, I would forthwith have gone 
home, but they withheld me, and 
suffered me not to depart. 
Wherefore I continued with 
them that night near the same 
tower. 

103 So they spread their linen 
garments upon the ground ; and 
placed me in the middle, nor 
did they any thing else, only they 
prayed. 

104 I also prayed with them 
without ceasing, no less than 
they. Who when they saw me 
pray in that manner, rejoiced 
greatly ; and I continued there 
with them till the next day. 

105 And when we had wor- 
shipped God, then the shep- 
herd came and said unto them, 
You have done no injury to this 
man. They answered, Ask him. 
I said unto him, Sir, I have re- 
ceived a great deal of satisfac- 
tion in that I have remained with 
them. 

106 And he said unto me, 
How didst thou sup 1 I answered, 
Sir, I feasted the whole night 

1 Itaut. Lat. 
266 



upon the words of the Lord. 
They received thee well, then ? 
said he. I said, Sir, very 
well. 

107 He answered, Wilt thou 
now learn what thou didst de- 
sire 1 I replied, Sir, I will : 
and first I pray thee that thou 
shouldest show me all things in 
the order that I asked them. 

108 He answered, I will do 
all as thou wouldest have me, 
nor will I hide any thing from 
thee. 

109 fl First of all, sir, said I, 
tell me what this rock and this 
gate denote. Hearken, said he ; 
This rock, and this gate, are the 
Son of God. I replied, Sir, how 
can that be 1 seeing the rock is 
old, but the gate new. 

110 Hear, said he, O foolish 
man ! and understand. The 
Son of God is indeed more an- 
cient than any creature, 1 inso- 
much that he was in council with 
his Father at the creation of 
2 all things. 

111 But the gate is therefore 
new, because he appeared in the 
last days as the fulness of time ; 
that they who shall attain unto 
salvation, may by it enter into 
the kingdom of God. 

112 You have seen, said he, 
those stones which were carried 
through the gate, how they were 
placed in the building of the 
tower; but that those which 
were not carried through the 
gate, were sent away into their 
own places ? 

113 I answered, Sir, I saw it. 
Thus, said he, no man shall enter 
into the kingdom of God, but he 

2 The creatures. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



who shall take upon him the 
name of the Son of God. 

1 14 For if you would enter 
into any city, and that city 
should be encompassed with a 
wall, and had only one gate, 
could you enter into that city 
except by that gate 1 

115 I answered, Sir, how 
could I do otherwise ? As there- 
fore, said he, there would be no 
other way of entering into that 
city but by its gate, so neither 
can any one enter into the king- 
dom of God, but only by the 
name of his Son, who is most 
dear unto him. 

116 And he said unto me, 
Didst thou see the multitude of 
those that built that tower 1 Sir, 
said I, I saw it. He answered, 
All those are the angels, vener- 
able in their dignity.* 

117 With these is the Lord 
encompassed as with a wall ; but 
the gate is the Son of God, who 
is the only way of coming unto 
God. For no man shall go to 
God, but by his Son. 

118 Thou sawest also, said 
he, the six men, and in the mid- 
dle of them that venerable great 
man, who walked about the 
tower, and rejected the stones 
out of the tower 1 

119 Sir, said I, I saw them. 
He answered, That tall man was 
the Son of God ; and those six 
were his angels of jnost eminent 
dignity, which stand about him 
on the right hand and on the 
left. 

120 Of these excellent angels 
none comes in unto God without 
him. He added, Whosoever 

1 Vid. Aunot. Edit. Oxon. p. 116. d. 



therefore shall not take upon him 
his name, he shall not enter into 
the kingdom of God. 

121 fl Then I said, What is 
this tower 1 This, said he, is the 
church. And what, sir, are 
these virgins ? He said unto 
me, These are the holy spirits ; 
for no man can enter into 
the kingdom of God, except 
these clothe him with their gar- 
ment. 

122 For it will avail thee 
nothing to take up the name of 
the Son of God, unless thou 
shalt also receive their garment 
from them. For these virgins 
are the powers of the Son of God. 
So shall a man in vain bear his 
name, unless he shall also be 
endued with his powers. 

123 And he said unto me, 
Sawest thou those stones that 
were cast away ? They bore in- 
deed the name, but put not on 
their garment. I said, Sir, what 
is their garment 1 x Their very 
names, said he, are their gar- 
ment. 

124 Therefore whosoever 
beareth the name of the Son of 
God ought to bear their names 
also; for the Son of God also 
himself beareth their names. 

125 As for those stones, con- 
tinued he, which, being delivered 
by their hands, thou sawest re- 
main in the building, they were 
clothed with their power; for 
which cause thou seest the 
whole tower of the same 2 colour 
with the rock, and made as it 
were of one stone. 

126 So also those who have 
believed in God by his Son, have 

2 Vid. Origen. Philocal. c. via. 

267 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



put on his spirit. Behold, there 
shall be one spirit, and one body, 
and one colour of their garments; 
and all they shall attain this, who 
shall bear the names of these 
virgins. 

127 And I said, Sir, Why 
then were those stones cast away 
which were rejected 1 seeing they 
also were carried through the 
gate, and delivered by the hands 
of these virgins into the building 
of this tower. 

128 Seeing, said he, thou 
takest care to inquire diligently 
into all things, hear also con- 
cerning those stones which were 
rejected. All these received the 
name ^of the Son of God, and 
with that the power of these vir- 
gins. 

129 Having therefore received 
these spirits, they were perfected, 
and brought into the number of 
the servants of God ; and they 
began to be one body, and to 
have one garment ; for they were 
1 endued with the same righteous- 
ness, which they alike exercised. 

130 But after that they beheld 
these women which thou sawest 
clothed with a black garment, 
with their shoulders at liberty 
and their hair loose, they fixed 
their desires upon them, being 
tempted with their beauty ; and 
were clothed with their power, 
and cast off the clothing of the 
virgins : 

131 Therefore were they cast 
off from the house of God, and 
delivered to those women. But 
they that were not corrupted 
with their beauty, remained in 

1 Sentiebant aequitatem, Lat. from 
the Greek, scppavow : but the true read-r 

268 



the house of God. This, said 
he, is the signification of those 
stones which were rejected. 

132 U And I said, Sir, what 
if any of these men shall repent, 
and cast away their desire of 
those women, and be converted, 
and return to these virgins, and 
put on again their virtue ; shall 
they not enter into the house of 
God ? They shall enter, said he, 
if they shall lay aside all the 
works of those women, and shall 
resume the power of these vir- 
gins, and shall walk in their 
works. 

133 And for this cause there 
is a stop in the building, that if 
they shall repent, they may be 
added to the building of this 
tower ; but if they shall not re- 
pent, that others may be built in 
their places, and so they may be 
utterly cast away. 

134 For all these things I gave 
thanks unto the Lord, that being 
moved with' mercy towards all 
those upon whom his name is 
called, he sent to us the angel 
of repentance to preside over us 
who have sinned against him ; 
and that he has refreshed our 
spirits which were almost gone, 
and who had no hope of salva- 
tion, but are now refreshed to 
the renewal of life. 

135 Then I said, Show me 
now, sir, why this tower is not 
built upon the ground, but upon 
a rock, and upon the gate ? He 
replied, Thou art foolish and 
without understanding, therefore 
thou askest this. 

136 And I said, Sir, I must 

ing- of Hermas seemeth to have beeu 

£<PopOVV. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



needs ask all things of you, be- 
cause I understand nothing at 
all. For all your answers are 
great and excellent; and which 
a man can hardly understand. 

137 Hear, said he : The name 
of the Son of God is great and 
without bounds, and the whole 
world is supported by it. If, 
therefore, said I, every creature 
of God be sustained by his Son, 
why should he not support those 
also who have been invited by 
him, and who carry his name, 
and walk in his commandments? 

138 Seest thou not, said he, 
that he doth support them, who 

•with all their heart bear his 
name ? He therefore is thqir 
foundation, and gladly supports 
those who do not deny his name, 
but willingly bear it. 

139 fl And I said, Sir, tell 
me Nihe names of these virgins, 
and of those women that were 
clothed with the black garment. 

140 Hear, said he, the names 
of those virgins which are the 
more powerful, and stand at the 
corners of the gate. These are 
their names : 

141 The first is called 1 Faith; 
the second, Continence ; the 
third, Power ; the fourth, Pa- 
tience ; the rest which stand be- 
neath these are, Simplicity, In- 
nocence, Chastity, Cheerfulness, 
Truth, Understanding, Concord, 
Charity. 

142 Whosoever therefore bear 
these names, and the name of 
the Son of God, shall enter into 
the kingdom of God. 

143 Hear now, said he, the 
names of those women, which 

1 Orig-en. Horn. 13. in Ezek. 

23* 



were clothed with the black gar- 
ment. Of these, four are the 
principal : the first is Perfidious- 
ness ; the second, Incontinence ; 
the third, Infidelity ; the fourth, 
Pleasure. 

144 And the rest which fol- 
low are called thus : Sadness, 
Malice, Lust, Anger, Lying, 
Foolishness, Pride, and Hatred. 
The servant of God, which car- 
ries these spirits, shall see indeed 
the kingdom of God, but he shall 
not enter into it. 

145 But, sir, what are those 
stones which were taken out of 
the deep, and fitted into the build- 
ing? The ten, said he, which 
were placed at the foundation, 
are the first age ; the following 
five-and-twenty, the second, of 
righteous men. 

146 The next thirty-five are 
the prophets and ministers of the 
Lord. And the forty are the 
Apostles and doctors of the 
preaching of the Son of God. 

147 And I said, Sir, why did 
the virgins put even those stones 
into the building after they were 
carried through the gate ? And 
he said, Because these first car- 
ried those spirits, and they de- 
parted not one from the other, 
neither the men from the spirits, 
nor the spirits from the men. 

148 But the spirits were join- 
ed to those men even to the day 
of their death ; who if they had 
not had these spirits with them, 
they could not have been useful 
to the building of this tower. 

149 And I said, Sir, show me 
this further. He answered, 
What dost thou ask ? Why did 
these stones come out of the 

269 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



deep, and were placed into the 
building of this tower, seeing 
that they long ago carried those 
1 holy spirits. 

150 2 It was necessary, said he, 
for them to ascend by water, that 
they might be at rest. For they 
could not otherwise enter into 
the kingdom of God, but by lay- 
ing aside the mortality of their 
former life. 

151 They, therefore, being 
dead, were nevertheless sealed 
with the seal of the Son of God, 
and so entered into the kingdom 
of God. 

152 For before a man re- 
ceives the name of the Son of 
God, he is ordained unto death ; 
but when he receives that seal, 
he is freed from death, and 3 as- 
signed unto life. • 

153 Now that seal is the wa- 
ter of baptism, into which men 
go down under the obligation 
unto death, but come up ap- 
pointed unto life. 

154 Wherefore to those also 
was this seal 4 preached, and 
they made use of it, that they 
might enter into the kingdom of 
God. 

155 And I said, Why then, 
sir, did these forty stones also as- 
cend with them out of the deep, 
having already received that 
seal? 

156 He answered, 5 Because 
these Apostles and teachers, who 
preached the name of the Son 
of God, dying after they had re- 
ceived his faith and power, 
preached to them who were dead 

1 .Tustos, righteous. 

2 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 171. b. 

3 Traditur, delivered. 

270 



before, and they gave this seal 
to them. 

157 They went down therefore 
into the water with them, and 
again came up. But these went 
down whilst they were alive, and 
came up again alive; whereas 
those who were before dead, 
went down dead, but came up 
alive ; 

158 Through these therefore 
they received life, and knew the 
Son of God : for which cause 
they came up with them, and 
were fit to come into the build- 
ing of the tower, and were not 
cut, but put in entire ; because 
they died in righteousness, and 
in great purity ; only this seal 
was wanting to them. 

159 Thus you have the ex- 
plication of these things. 

160 fl I answered, Sir, tell 
me now what concerns those 
mountains, why they are so dif- 
ferent; some of one form, and 
some of another. 

161 Hear, said he : These 
twelve mountains which thou 
seest, are twelve nations, which 
make up the whole world. 
Wherefore the Son of God is 
preached to them, by those whom 
he sent unto them. 

162 But why, said I, are they 
different, and every one of a 
figure? He replied, Hearken. 
Those twelve nations which pos- 
sess the whole world, are twelve 
people. 

163 And as thou hast beheld 
these mountains different, so are 
they. I will therefore open to 

* Vid. Coteler. Annot. in loc. p. 77, 78. 
Comp. 1 Pet. iii. 19. 
5 Vid. Clem. Alex. Strom, ii. et vi. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



thee the meaning and actions of 
every mountain. 

164 But first, sir, said I, show 
me this : Seeing these mountains 
are so different, how have they 
agreed into the building of this 
tower ; and been brought to one 
colour ; and are no less bright 
than those which came out of 
the deep? 

165 Because, replied he, all 
the nations which are under 
heaven, have heard and believed 
in the same one name of the Son 
of God, by whom they are called. 

166 Wherefore, having re- 
ceived his seal, they have all 
been made partakers of the same 
1 understanding and 2 knowl- 
edge, and their faith and charity 
have been the same; and they 
have carried the spirits of these 
virgins together with his name. 

167 And therefore the build- 
ing of this tower appeared to be 
of the same colour, and did 
shine like the brightness of the 
sun. 

168 But after that they had 
thus agreed in one mind, there 
began to be one body of them 
all : howbeit some of them pol- 
luted themselves, and were cast 
off from the kind of the righteous, 
and again returned to their for- 
mer state, and became even 
worse than they were before. 

169 fl How, said I, sir, were 
they worse who knew the Lord 1 
He answered, If he who knows 
not the Lord liveth wickedly, the 
punishment of wickedness at- 
tends him. 



170 But he who has known 
the Lord, ought to abstain alto- 
gether from all wickedness, and 
more and more to be the servant 
of righteousness. 

171 And does not he then 
seem to thee to sin more who 
ought to follow goodness, if he 
shall prefer the part of sin, than 
he who offends without knowing 
the 3 power of God 1 

172 Wherefore these are in- 
deed ordained unto death ; but 
they who have known the Lord, 
and have seen his wonderful 
works, if they shall live wicked- 
ly, they shall be doubly punish- 
ed, and shall die for ever. 

173 As therefore thou hast 
seen that after the stones were 
cast out of the tower, which had 
been rejected, they were de- 
livered to wicked and cruel 
spirits ; and thou beheldest the 
tower so cleansed, as if it had 
all been made of one stone : 

174 4 So the church of God, 
when k shall be purified (the 

5 wicked and counterfeits, the 

6 mischievous and doubtful, and 
all that have behaved them- 
selves wickedly in it, and com- 
mitted divers kinds of sin, being 
cast out), shall become one body, 
and there shall be one under- 
standing, one opinion, one faith, 
and the same charity : 

175 And then shall the Son 
of God rejoice among them, and 
shall receive his people with a 
pure will. 

176 And I said, Sir, all these 
things are great and honourable : 



1 Prudence. 
3 Lat. Virtutem. 



8 Sense. 



4 Vid. Orig. Philocal. c. viii. 



5 Evil. 



271 



6 Profligate. 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



but now show unto me the effect 
and force of every mountain ; 
that every soul which trusteth in 
the Lord, when it shall hear these 
things, may honour his great, 
and wonderful, and holy name. 

177 Hear, said he, the variety 
of these mountains, that is, of 
the twelve nations. 

178 fl They who have be- 
lieved of the first mountain, 
which is black, are those who 
have revolted from the faith, and 
spoken wicked things against 
the Lord, and betrayed the ser- 
vants of God. 

179 These are condemned 
to death ; there is no repentance 
for them : and therefore they are 
black, because their kind is 
wicked. 

180 Of the second mountain, 
which was smooth, are the l hyp- 
ocrites, who have believed, and 
the teachers of naughtiness : and 
these are next to the foregoing, 
which have not in them the 
fruit of righteousness. 

181 For as their mountain is 
barren, and without fruit, so also 
such kind of men have indeed 
the name of Christians, but are 
empty of faith, nor is there any 
fruit of the truth in them. 

182 Nevertheless there is 
room left to them for repentance, 
if they shall suddenly pursue it ; 
but if they shall delay, they also 
shall be partakers of death with 
the foregoing kind. 

183 I said, Sir, why is there 
room left to those for repent- 
ance, and not to the foregoing 
kind, seeing their sins are well 
nigh the same 1 

1 Feigned. 

272 



184 There is therefore, said 
he, to these a return unto life by 
repentance, because they have 
not blasphemed against their 
Lord, nor betrayed the servants 
of God : but by their desire of 
gain have deceived men, leading 
them according to the lusts of 
sinners ; wherefore they shall suf- 
fer for this thing. 

185 Howbeit there is still left 
them room for repentance, be- 
cause they have not spoken any 
thing wickedly against their 
Lord. 

186 ff They who are of the 
third mountain, which had thorns 
and brambles, are those who be- 
lieved, but were some of them 
rich, others taken up with many 
affairs : the brambles are their 
riches ; the thorns, those affairs 
in which they were engaged. 

187 Now they who are en- 
tangled in much business, and 
in diversity of affairs, join not 
themselves to the servants of 
God, but wander, being called 
away by those affairs with which 
they are choked. 

188 And so they vvhich are 
rich, with difficulty yield them- 
selves to the 2 conversation of the 
servants of God ; fearing lest any 
thing should be asked of them. 
These therefore shall hardly 
enter into the kingdom of God. 

189 For as men walk with 
difficulty bare-foot over thorns, 
even so these kind of men shall 
scarcely enter into the kingdom 
of God. 

190 Nevertheless there is af- 
forded to all these a return unto 
repentance ; if that they shall 

2 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 178. Not. b. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



ojiickly return to it; that be- 
cause in their former days they 
have neglected to work, in the 
time that is to come they may 
do some good. 

191 If therefore, having re- 
pented, they shall do the works 
of righteousness, they shall live : 
but if they shall continue in 
their evil courses, they shall be 
delivered to those women that 
will take away their life. 

192 ff As for the fourth moun- 
tain, which had many herbs, the 
upper part of which is green, but 
the roots dry, and some of which, 
being touched with the heat of 
the sun, are withered ; 

193 It denotes the doubtful, 
who have believed, and some 
others who carry the Lord in 
their tongues, but have him not 
in their heart: therefore their 
grass is dry, and without root ; 
because they live only in words, 
but their works are dead. 

194 These therefore are nei- 
ther dead nor living, and withal 
are doubtful. For the doubtful 
are neither green nor dry ; that 
is, neither dead nor alive. 

195 For as the herbs dry 
away at the sight of the sun ; so 
the doubtful, as soon as they 
hear of persecution, and fear 
inconveniences, return to their 
idols, and again serve them, and 
are ashamed to bear the name 
of their Lord. 

196 This kind of men then is 
neither dead nor alive ; never- 
theless these also may live, if 
they shall presently repent : but 
if not, they shall be delivered to 
those women, who shall take 
away their life. 



197 fl As concerning the fifth 
mountain, that is craggy, and 
yet has green grass; they are 
of this kind who have believed, 
and are faithful indeed, but be- 
lieve with difficulty ; and are 
bold, and self-conceited; that 
would be thought to know all 
things, but really know nothing. 

198 Wherefore, by reason of 
this confidence, knowledge is 
departed from them ; and a rash 
presumption is entered into them. 

199 But they carry themselves 
high, and as prudent men ; and 
though they are fools, yet would 
seem to be teachers. 

200 Now, by reason of this 
folly, many of them, whilst they 
magnify themselves, are become 
vain and empty. For boldness 
and vain confidence is a 1 very 
evil spirit. 

201 Wherefore many of these 
are cast away ; but others, ack- 
nowledging their error, have 
repented, and submitted them- 
selves to those who are knowing : 

202 And to all the rest of this 
kind there is repentance allowed ; 
forasmuch as they were not so 
much wicked as foolish and 
void of understanding. 

203 If these therefore shall 
repent, they shall live unto God ; 
but if not, they shall dwell with 
those women, who shall exercise 
their wickedness upon them. 

204 fl For what concerns the 
sixth mountain, having greater 
and lesser clefts, they are such 
as have believed ; but those in 
which were lesser clefts are 
they who have had controversies 

1 Magnum Daemonium. 

273 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



among themselves ; and by rea- 
son of their quarrels languish in 
the faith : 

205 Nevertheless many of 
these have repented, and so will 
the rest when they shall hear 
my commands ; for their con- 
troversies are but small, and 
they will easily return unto 
repentance. 

206 But those who have the 
greater clefts, will be as stiff 
stones, mindful of grudges and 
offences, and full of anger among 
themselves. These therefore are 
cast from the tower, and refused 
to be put into its building ; for 
this kind of men shall hardly 
live. 

207 Our God and Lord, who 
ruleth over all things, and has 
power over all his creatures, 
will not remember our offences, 
but is easily appeased by those 
who confess their sins : but man, 
being languid, mortal, infirm, 
and full of sins, perseveres in 
his anger against man ; as if it 
were in his power to save or to 
destroy him. 

208 But I, as the angel who 
am set over your repentance, 
admonish you, that whosoever 
among you has any such purpose, 
he should lay it aside, and return 
unto repentance ; and the Lord 
will heal your former sins, if you 
shall purge yourselves from this 
evil spirit ; but if you shall not 
do it, ye shall be delivered to 
him unto death. 

209 ft As for the seventh 
mountain, in which the grass 
was green and flourishing, and 

1 Infancy. 

274 



the whole mountain fruitful, and 
all kind of cattle fed upon the 
grass of it; and the more the 
grass was eaten, so much the 
more it flourished; 

210 They are such as believed, 
and were always good and up- 
right; and without any differ- 
ences among themselves, but 
still rejoiced in the servants of 
God, having put on the spirit of 
these virgins ; and been always 
forward to show mercy to all 
men, readily giving to all men 
of their labours without upbraid- 
ing, and without deliberation. 

211 Wherefore the Lord, see- 
ing their simplicity and 3 inno- 
cence, has increased them in the 
works of their hands, and given 
them grace in all their works. 

212 But I, who am the angel 
appointed over your repentance, 
exhort you, that as many as are 
of this kind would continue in 
the same purpose, that your seed 
may not be rooted out for ever. 

213 For the Lord hath tried 
you, and written you into our 
number ; and all your seed shall 
dwell with the Son of God ; for 
ye are all of his spirit. 

214 ft As concerning the 
eighth mountain, in which were 
a great many springs, by which 
every kind of all the creatures 
of God was watered ; they are 
such as have believed the Apos- 
tles which the Lord sent into all 
the world to preach. 

215 And 2 some of them, be- 
ing teachers, have preached and 
taught purely and sincerely, and 
have not in the least yielded to 

2 MS. Lamb. Et quidam Doctores 
caste : Omitting Qui. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



any evil desires, but have con- 
stantly walked in righteousness 
and truth. 

216 These therefore have 
their conversation among the 
angels. 

217 J[ Again ; as for what 
concerns the ninth mountain, 
which is desert, and full of ser- 
pents; they are such as have 
believed, but had many stains : 

218 These are such ministers 
as discharge their ministry amiss ; 
ravishing away the goods of the 
widows and fatherless ; and serve 
themselves, not others, out of 
those things which they have 
received. 

219 These, if they continue 
in their covetousness, have deliv- 
ered themselves unto death, nor 
shall there be any hope of life 
for them. But if they shall be 
converted, and shall discharge 
their ministry sincerely, they 
may live. 

220 As for those which were 
found rough; they are such as 
have denied the name of the 
Lord, and not returned again to 
the Lord, but have become 
savage and wild; not applying 
themselves to the servants of 
God, but being separated from 
them, have for a little carefulness 
lost their lives. 

221 For as a vine that is for- 
saken in a hedge, and never 
dressed, perishes and is choked 
by the weeds, and in time be- 
comes wild, and ceases to be 
useful to its lord, so this kind 
of men, despairing of themselves, 
and being soured, have begun to 
be unprofitable to their lord. 

. 222 Howbeit to these there is, 



after all, repentance allowed, if 
they shall not be found from their 
hearts to have denied Christ : but 
if any of these shall be found to 
have denied him from his heart, 
I cannot tell whether such a 
one can attain unto life. 

223 I say therefore, that if 
any one hath denied, he should 
in these days return unto repent- 
ance ; for it cannot be that any 
one who now denies the Lord, 
can afterwards attain unto sal- 
vation : nevertheless repentance 
is proposed unto them, who have 
formerly denied. 

224 But he who will repent, 
must hasten on his repentance, 
before the building of this tower 
is finished: otherwise, he, shall 
be delivered by those women 
unto death. 

225 But they that are maimed, 
are the deceitful : and those who 
mix with one another, these are 
the serpents that you saw min- 
gled in that mountain. 

226 For as the poison of ser- 
pents is deadly unto men, so 
the words of such persons infect 
and destroy men. They are 
therefore maimed in their faith, 
by reason of that kind of life 
which they lead. 

227 Howbeit some of them, 
having repented, have been 
saved ; and so shall others of 
the same kind be also saved, if 
they shall repent ; but if not, 
they shall die by those women 
whose power and force they 
possess. 

228 fl For what concerns the 
tenth mountain, in which were 
the trees covering the cattle, 
they are such as have believed ; 

275 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



and some of them been bishops, 
that is, governors of the churches. 

229 Others are such stones 
as have not feignedly, but with 
a cheerful mind, entertained the 
servants of God. 

230 Then such as have been 
set over inferior ministries ; and 
have protected the poor and the 
widows; and have always kept 
a chaste conversation ; therefore 
they also are protected by the 
Lord. 

231 Whosoever shall do on 
this wise, are honoured with the 
Lord ; and their place is among 
the angels, if they shall continue 
to obey the Lord even unto the 
end. 

232 fl As to the eleventh 
mountain, in which were trees 
loaded with several sorts of 
fruits ; they are such as have 
believed, and suffered death for 
the name of the Lord ; and have 
endured with a ready mind, and 
have given up their lives with all 
their hearts. 

233 And I said, Why then, 
sir, have all these fruit indeed, 
but yet some fairer than others ? 

234 Hearken, said he : Who- 
soever have suffered for the 
name of the Lord are esteemed 
honourable by the Lord ; and all 
their offences are blotted out, 
because they have suffered death 
for the name of the Son of God. 

235 Hear, now, why their 
fruits are different, and some of 
them excel others, they who be- 
ing brought before magistrates, 
and being asked, denied not the 
Lord, but suffered with a ready 
mind ; these are more honoura- 
ble with the Lord. The fruits 

276 



therefore that are the most fair 
are these. 

236 But they who were fear- 
ful and doubtful, and have delib- 
erated with themselves whether 
they should confess or deny 
Christ, and yet have suffered; 
their fruits are smaller, because 
that this thought came into their 
hearts. 

237 For it is a wicked and 
evil thought for a servant to de- 
liberate whether he should deny 
his master. Take heed therefore, 
ye who have such thoughts, that 
this mind continue not in you, 
and ye die unto God. 

238 But ye who suffer death 
for his name sake, ought to 
honour the Lord, that he has 
esteemed you worthy to bear his 
name; and that you should be 
delivered from all your sins. 

239 And why therefore do 
you not rather esteem yourselves 
happy? Yea, think verily that 
if any one among you suffer, he 
performs a great work? For 
the Lord giveth you life, and ye 
understand it not. For your 
offences did oppress you; and 
if you had not suffered for his 
name sake, ye had now been 
dead unto the Lord. 

240 Wherefore I speak this 
unto you who deliberate whether 
ye should confess or deny him : 
confess that ye have the Lord for 
your God ; lest at any time, de- 
nying him, ye be delivered over 
into bonds. 

241 For if all nations punish 
their servants which deny their 
masters, what think you that the 
Lord will do unto you, who has 
the power of all things ? 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



242 Remove therefore out of 
your hearts these doubts, that ye 
may live for ever unto God. 

243 As for the twelfth moun- 
tain, which was white, they 
are such as have believed like 
sincere children, into whose 
thoughts there never came any 
malice ; nor have they ever 
known what sin was, but have 
always continued in their in- 
tegrity. 

244 Wherefore this kind of 
men shall without all doubt in- 
herit the kingdom of God ; be- 
cause they have never in any 
thing denied the commandments 
of God, but have continued with 
sincerity in the same condition 
all the days of their life. 

245 Whosoever therefore, said 
he, shall continue as children 
without malice, shall be more 
honourable than all those of 
whom I have yet spoken ; for all 
such children are honoured by 
the Lord, and esteemed the first 
of all. 

246 Happy therefore are ye 
who shall remove all malice 
from you, and put on innocence ; 
because ye shall first see the 
Lord. 

247 And after he had thus 
ended his explication of all the 
mountains, I said unto him, Sir, 
show me now also what concerns 
the stones that were brought out 
of the plain, and put into the 
tower in the room of those that 
were rejected : 

248 As also concerning those 
round stones which were added 
into the building of the tower ; 
and also of those who still contin- 
ued round. 

24 



249 fl Hear now, says he, 
concerning those stones which 
were brought out of the plain 
into the building of the tower, 
and placed in the room of those 
that were rejected : they are the 
roots of that white mountain. 

250 Wherefore, because those 
who have believed of that moun- 
tain were very innocent, the 
lord of this tower commanded 
that they which were of the roots 
of this mountain should be placed 
into the building. 

251 For he knew that if they 
were put into this building, they 
would continue bright ; nor would 
any of them any more be made 
black. 

252 But if he had added on 
this manner from the rest of the 
mountains, he would 1 almost 
have needed again to visit this 
tower and to cleanse it. 

253 Now all these white stones 
are the young men who have 
believed, or shall believe; for 
they are all of the same kind. 
Happy is this kind, because it is 
innocent. 

254 Hear now also concerning 
those round and bright stones : 
all these are of this white moun- 
tain. But they are therefore found 
round, because their riches have 
a little darkened them from the 
truth, and dazzled their eyes : 

255 Howbeit they have never 
departed from the Lord, nor has 
any wicked word proceeded out 
of their mouths ; but all righte- 
ousness, and virtue, and truth. 

256 When therefore the Lord 
saw their mind, and that they 

1 MS. Lamb. Tantum non necesse 
babuisset. 

277 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



might adorn the truth, he com- 
manded that they should con- 
tinue good, and that their riches 
should be pared away : 

257 For he would not have 
them taken wholly away, to the 
end they might do some good 
with that which was left, and 
live unto God ; because they also 
are of a good kind. 

258 Therefore was there a 
little cut off from them, and so 
they were put into the building 
of this tower. 

259 fl As for the rest which 
continued still round, and were 
not found fit for the building 
1 of this tower, because they 
have not yet received the seal ; 
they were carried back to their 
place, because they were found 
very round. 

260 But this present world 
must be cut away from them, 
and the vanities of their riches ; 
and then they will be fit for the 
kingdom of God. For they must 
enter into the kingdom of God, 
because God has blessed this 
innocent kind. 

261 Of this kind therefore 
none shall fall away : for though 
any of them, being tempted by 
the devil, should offend, he shall 
soon return to his Lord God. 

262 I, the angel of repentance, 
esteem you happy, whosoever are 
innocent as little children, be- 
cause your portion is good and 
honourable with the Lord. 

263 And I say unto all you 

1 MS. Lamb. Structuram turns hu- 
jus. 

2 MS. Lamb. Et unum quemque spiri- 
tum fieri : which appears from the Greek 
of Antiochus to be the true reading, nai 
ytvtcdai ev -nvsv/jia. 

278 



who have received this seal; 
Keep simplicity, and remember 
not the offences which are com- 
mitted against you, nor con- 
tinue in malice, or in bitterness, 
through the memory of offences. 

264 2 But become one spirit, 
and provide remedies for these 
evil rents, and remove them from 
you ; that the lord of the sheep 
may rejoice 3 at it ; 4 for he will 
rejoice, if he shall find all whole. 

265 But if any of these sheep 
shall be found scattered away, 
wo shall be to the shepherds : 
but and if the shepherds them- 
selves shall be scattered, what 
will they answer to 5 the lord of 
the sheepfold? "Will they say 
that they were troubled by the 
sheep? But they shall not be 
believed. 

266 For it is an incredible 
thing that the shepherd should 
suffer by his flock ; and he shall 
be the more punished for his lie. 

267 Now I am the shepherd ; 
and I especially must give an 
account of you. 

268 fl Wherefore take care 
of yourselves whilst the tower is 
yet building. The Lord dwells 
in those that love peace; for 
peace is beloved ; but he is far 
off from the contentious, and 
those who are 6 full of malice. 

269 Wherefore restore unto 
him the spirit entire, as ye re- 
ceived it. 7 For if thou shalt 
give unto a fuller a garment new 
and whole, thou wilt expect to 

3 MS. Lamb. Gaudeat de his 5 and 
Gr. Amioch. "^aprj en' avrw. 

4 Vid. Antioch. Horn, cxxii. 

5 Gr. To SeanoTt] tov notpvtov, 

6 Perditis malitia. Lat. 

7 Antioch. Horn. xciv. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE X. 



triumphant. 



receive it whole again : if there- 
fore the fuller shall restore it 
unto thee torn, wouldest thou 
receive it? 

270 Wouldest thou not pres- 
ently be angry, and reproach 
him, saying, I gave my garment 
to thee whole; why hast thou 
rent it, and made it useless to 
me ? Now it is of no use to me, 
by reason of the rent which thou 
hast made in it. Wouldest thou 
not say all this to a fuller, for 
the rent which he made in thy 
garment ? 

271 If there fore thou wouldest 
be concerned for thy garment, 
and complain that thou hadst 
not received it whole, what 
thinkest thou that the Lord will 
do, who gave his Spirit to thee 
entire, and thou hast rendered 
him altogether unprofitable, so 
that he can be of no use unto 
his Lord ? For being corrupted 
by thee, he is no longer profita- 
ble to him. 

272 Will not therefore the 
Lord do the same concerning 
his Spirit, by reason of thy 
deed ? Undoubtedly, said I, he 
will do the same to all those 
whom he shall find to continue 
in the remembrance of injuries. 

273 Tread not then under 
foot, said he, his mercy ; but 
rather honour him, because he 
is so patient with respect to your 
offences, and not like one of 
you ; but repent, for that will be 
profitable for you. 

274 fl All these things which 
are above written, I, the shep- 
herd, the angel of repentance, 
have shown and spoken to the 
servants of God. 



275 If therefore ye shall be- 
lieve and hearken to these words, 
and shall walk in them, and 
shall correct your ways, ye shall 
live. But if ye shall continue in 
malice, and in the remembrance 
of injuries, no such sinners shall 
live unto God. 

276 All these things which 
were to be spoken by me, I have 
thus delivered unto you. Then 
the shepherd said unto me, Hast 
thou asked all things of me ? I 
answered, Sir, I have. 

277 Why then, said he, hast 
thou not asked concerning the 
spaces of these stones that were 
put in the building, that I may 
explain that also unto thee? I 
answered, Sir, I forgot it. Hear, 
then, said he, concerning those 
also. 

278 They are those who have 
now heard these commands, and 
have repented with all their 
hearts : 

279 And when the Lord saw 
that their repentance was good 
and pure, and that they could 
continue in it, he commandefl 
their former sins to be blotted 
out. For these spaces were their 
sins, and they are therefore made 
even that they might not appear. 

SIMILITUDE X. 

Of repentance and alms-deeds. 

AFTER that I had written 
this book, the angel which 
had delivered me to that shep- 
herd, came into the house where 
I was, and sat upon the bed, and 
that shepherd stood at his right 
hand. 

2 Then he called me and said 
279 



Of repentance 



III. HERMAS. 



and alms-deeds. 



unto me, I delivered thee and thy 
house to this shepherd, that thou 
mightest be protected by him. I 
said, Yes, Lord. 

3 If therefore, said he, thou 
wilt be protected from all vexa- 
tions and from all cruelty, and 
have success in every good word 
and work, and have all virtue 
and righteousness, walk in those 
commands which he has given 
thee, and thou shalt have domin- 
ion over all sin. 

4 For if thou keepest those 
commands, all the lust and pleas- 
ure of this present world shall 
be subject to thee ; and success 
shall follow thee in every good 
undertaking. 

5 Take therefore his \ gravity 
and modesty towards thee, and 
say unto all, that he is in great 
honour and renown with God, 
and is a 2 prince of great au- 
thority, and powerful in his 
office. 

6 To him only is the power of 
repentance committed through- 
out the whole world. Does he 
hot seem to thee to be of great 
authority ? 

7 But ye despise his goodness, 
and the modesty which he shows 
towards you. 

8 fl I said unto him, Sir, ask 
him, since the time that he came 
into my house, whether I have 
done any thing disorderly, or 
have offended him in any thing 1 

9 I know, said he, that thou 
hast done nothing disorderly, 
neither wilt thou hereafter do 
any such thing; and therefore 

1 Lat. Maturitatem. 

2 President. 

3 Eadem quae tu sentiant. 

280 



I speak these things with thee 
that thou mayest persevere ; for 
he has given me a good account 
concerning thee. 

10 But thou shalt speak these 
things to others, that they who 
either have repented, or shall 
repent, 3 may be like-minded 
with thee ; and he may give me 
as good an account of them also, 
and I may do the same unto the 
Lord. 

Ill answered, Sir, I declare 
to all men the wonderful works 
of God ; and I hope that all who 
love them and have before sin- 
ned, when they shall hear these 
things, will repent, and recover 
life. 

12 Continue therefore, said 
he, in this ministry, and fulfil it. 
And whosoever shall do accord- 
ing to the commands of this 
shepherd, he shall live; and 
shall have great honour both 
here and with the Lord. 

13 But they that shall not 
keep his commands, flee from 
their life, and are adversaries 
unto it. And they that follow 
not his commands shall deliver 
themselves unto death ; and shall 
be every one guilty of his own 
blood. 

14 But I say unto thee, Keep 
these commandments, and thou 
shalt find a cure for all thy sins. 

15 ft Moreover, I have sent 
4 these virgins to dwell with 
thee ; for I have seen that they 
are very kind to thee. Thou 
shalt therefore have them for 
thy helpers, that thou mayest 

4 What is meant by these virgins ; — 
See before, Simil. 9. v. 139, et seq. 



Of repentance 



SIMILITUDE X. 



and alms-deeds. 



the better keep the commands 
which he hath given thee; for 
these commands cannot be kept 
without these virgins. 

16 And 1 1 see how they are 
willing to be with thee ; and I 
will also command them that 
they shall not all depart from 
thy house. 

17 Only do thou purify thy 
house ; for they will readily dwell 
in a clean house. For they are 
clean and chaste, and industri- 
ous ; and all of them have grace 
with the Lord. 

18 If, therefore, thou shalt 
have thy house pure, they will 
abide with thee. But if it shall 
be never so little polluted, they 
will immediately depart from 
thy house; for these virgins 
cannot endure any manner of 
pollution. 

19 I said unto him, Sir, I 
hope that I shall so please them, 
that they shall always delight to 
dwell in my house. And as he 
to whom you have committed 
me, makes no complaint of me, 
so neither shall they complain. 

20 Then he said to that shep- 
herd, I see that the servant of 
God will live and keep these 
commandments, and place these 
virgins in a pure habitation. 

21 When he had said this, he 
delivered me again to that shep- 
herd, and called the virgins, 
and said unto them, Forasmuch 
as I see that ye will readily 
dwell in this man's house, I 
commend him and his house to 
you, that ye may not at all depart 

1 MS. Lamb. Video ; which appears 
from the close of this section to be the 
true reading. 

24* 



from his house. And they will- 
ingly heard these words. 

22 |f Then he said unto me, 
Go on manfully in thy ministry ; 
declare to all men the great 
things of God, and thou shalt 
find grace in this ministry. 

23 And whosoever shall walk 
in these commands, shall live, 
and be happy in his life. But 
he that shall neglect them shall 
not live, and shall be unhappy 
in his life. 

24 Say unto all, that whoso- 
ever can do well, cease not to 
exercise themselves in good 
works, for it is profitable unto 
them. For I 2 would that all 
men should be delivered from 
the inconveniences they lie 
under. 

25 For he that wants, and suf- 
fers inconveniences in his daily 
life, is in great torment and 
necessity. Whoever, therefore, 
delivers such a soul from ne- 
cessity, gets great joy unto 
himself. 

26 For he that is grieved with 
such inconveniences is equally 
tormented, as if he were in 
chains. And many, upon the 
account of such calamities, be- 
ing not able to bear them, have 
chosen even to destroy them- 
selves. 

27 He therefore that knows 
the calamity of such a man, and 
does not free him from it, com- 
mits a great sin, and is guilty of 
his blood. 

28 Wherefore exercise your- 
selves in good works, as many 

2 Say. 
281 



Of repentance 



III. HERMAN 



and alms-deeds. 



as have received ability from the 
Lord ; lest whilst ye delay to do 
them, the building of the tower 
be finished ; because for your 
sakes the building is stopped. 

29 Except therefore ye shall 
make haste to do well, the tower 
shall be finished, and ye shall 
be shut out of it. 
282 



30 And after he had thus 
spoken with me, he rose up 
from the bed, and departed, 
taking the shepherd and virgins 
with him. 

31 Howbeit he said unto me, 
that he would send back the 
shepherd and virgins unto my 
house. Amen. 



THE END 



OF THE APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT. 



TABLE I. 



A LIST of the Apocryphal Pieces not now extant, mentioned by 
Writers in the first Four Centuries of Christ, with the several 
Works wherein they are cited or noticed. — By the Rev. Jere- 
miah Jones. 

A. 

1. The Acts of Andrew. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Philastr. 
Hares. 87. Epiphan. Hares. 4^7. § 1. Hares. 61. § 1. et Hares. 63. 
§ 2. Gelas. in Decret. apud Concil. Sanct. torn. 4. p. 1260. 

2. Books under the name of Andrew. August. Contr. Adversar. 
Leg. et Prophet. 1. 1. c. 20. et Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Exuper. Tholos. 
Episc. § 7. 

3. The Gospel of Andrew. Gelas. in Decret. 

A Gospel under the name of Apelles. Hieron. Prof at. in Comment, 
in Matt. 

The Gospel according to the Twelve Apostles. Origen. Homil. 
in Luc. i. 1. Ambros. Comment, in Luc. i. 1. et Hieron. Prafat. in 
Comment, in Matt. 

B. 

The Gospel of Barnabas. Gelas. in Decret. 

1. The writings of Bartholomew the Apostle. Dionys. Areopagit. 
de Theol. Myst. c. 1. 

2. The Gospel of Bartholomew. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccles. in 
Pantan et Prafat. in Comm. in Matt. Gelas. in Decret. 

The Gospel of Basilides. Orig. in Luc. i. 1. Ambros. in Luc. l. 1. 
Hieron. Prafat. in Comm. in Matt. 

C. 

1. The Gospel of Cerinthus. Epiphan. Hares. 51. § 7. 

2. The Revelation of Cerinthus. Caius Presb. Rom. lib. Disput 
apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 28. 

1. An Epistle of Christ to Peter and Paul. August, de Consens. 
Evang. 1. 1. c. 9, 10. 

2. Some other Books under the name of Christ. Ibid. c. 3. 

3. An Epistle of Christ, produced by the Manichees. August. 
contr. Faust. 1. 28. c. 4. 

4. A Hymn, which Christ taught his Disciples. Epist. ad Ceret. 
Episc. 

E. 

The Gospel according to the Egyptians. Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 3. 
p. 452, 465. Origen. in Luc. i. 1. Hieron. Prof, in Comm. in Matt. 
Epiphan. Hares. 62. § 2. 

283 



TABLE 1.— The lost Apocryphal Books. 

The Acts of the Apostles, made use of by the Ebionites. Epiphan. 
Hares. 30. § 16. 

The Gospel of the Ebionites. Epiphan. Hares. 30. § 13. 
The Gospel of the Encratites. Epiphan. Hares. 46. § 1. 
The Gospel of Eve. Epiphan. Hares. 26. § 2. 

H. 

The Gospel according to the Hebrews. Hegesipp. lib. Comment 
apud Euseh. Hist. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 22. Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 2. p. 380. 
Origen. Tract. 8. in Matt. xix. 19. et 1. 2. in Jirarc. p. 58. Euseb. Hist. 
Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25, 27, et 39. Jerome in many places, as above. 

The Book of the Helkesaites. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 6. c. 38. 

The false Gospels of Hesychius. Hieron. Prafat. in Evang. ad 
Damas. Gelas. in Decret. 



1. The Book of James. Origen. Comment, in Matt. xiii. 55, 56. 

2. Books forged and published under the name of James. Epiphan. 
Hares. 30. § 23. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Exuper. Tholos. Episc. § 7. 

1 The Acts of John. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Athanas. in 
Synops. § 76. Philastr. Hares. 87. Epiphan. Hares. 47. § 1. August, 
contr. Advers. Leg. 1. 1. c. 20. 

2. Books under the name of John. Epiphan. Hares. 30. § 23. et 
Innocent I. ibid. 

A Gospel under the name of Jude. Epiphan. Hares. 38. § 1. 

A Gospel under the name of Judas Iscariot. Iren. advers. Hares. 
1. 1. c. 35. 



The Acts of the Apostles by Leucius. August, lib. de Fide contr. 
Manich. c. 38. 

The Acts of the Apostles by Lentitius. August, de Act. cum 
Falic. Manich. 1. 2. c. 6. 

The Books of Lentitius. Gelas. in Decret. 

The Acts under the Apostles' name by Leontius. August, de Fide 
contra. Manich. c. 5. 

The Acts of the Apostles by Leuthon. Hieron. Epist. ad Chromat. 
et Heliodor. 

The false Gospels, published by Luc i anus. Hieron. Prafat. in 
Evang. ad Damas. 

M. 

The Acts of the Apostles used by the Manichees. August, lib. 
cont. Adimant. Manich. c. 17. 

The Gospel of Marc ion. Tertull. adv. Marcion. lib. 4. c. 2. et 4. 
Epiphan. Hares. 42. Procem. 

Books under the name of Matthew. Epiphan. Hares. 30. § 23. 

1. The Gospel of Matthias. Orig. Comm. in Luc. i. 1. Euseb. 
Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Ambros. in Luc. i. 1. Hieron. Prafat. in Com- 
ment, in Matt. 

2. The Traditions of Matthias. Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 2. p. 380. L 
3. p. 436. et 1. 7. p. 748. 

284 



TABLE I.— The lost Apocryphal Books. 

3. A Book under the name of Matthias. Innocent I. ibid. 
The Gospel of Merinthus. Epiphan. Hares. 51. § 7. 

N. 

The Gospel according to the Nazarenes. See above concerning 
the Gospel according to the Hebrews. 



P. 

1. The Acts of Paul and Thecla. Tertull. de Baptism, c. 17. 
Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccl. in Luc. Gelas. in Decret. 

2. The Acts of Paul. Orig. de Princip. 1. 1. c. 2. et 1. 21. in Joan. 
torn. 2. p. 298. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. Philastr. Hares. 87. 

3. The Preaching of Paul (and Peter). Lactant de Ver. Sap. 1. 4. 
c. 21. Script, anonym, ad calcem Opp. Cypr. and, according to some, 
Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 6. p. 636. 

4. A Book under the name of Paul. Cyprian, Epist. 27. 

5. The Revelation of Paul. Epiphan. Hares. 38. § 2. August 
Tract. 98. in Joann. in Jin. Gelas. in Decret. 

The Gospel of Perfection. Epiphan. Hares. 26. § 2. 

1. The Acts of Peter. Euseb. Hist Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. Athanas. in 
Synops. S. Scriptur. § 76. Philastr. Hares. 87. Hieron. Catal. Script 
Eccl. in Petr. Epiphan. Hares. 30. § 15. 

2. The Doctrine of Peter. Orig. Pram, in lib. de Princip. 

3. The Gospel of Peter. Cerap. lib. de Evang. Petri apud Euseb. 
Hist Eccl. 1. 6. c. 12. Tertull. adv. Marc. 1. 4. c. 5. Orig. Comment 
in Matt. xiii. 55, 56, torn. i. p. 223. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. 
Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccl. in Petr. 

4. The Judgment of Peter. Rujjin. Exposit. in Symbol. ApostoL 
§ 36. Hieron. Catal, Script. Eccles. in Petr. 

5. The Preaching of Peter. Heracl. apud. Orig. 1. 14. in Joan. 
Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 1. p. 357. 1. 2. p. 390. 1. 6. p. 635, 636. et 678. 
Theodot Byzant. in Excerpt p. 809. ad calc. Opp. Clem. Alex. Lactant 
de Ver. Sap. 1. 4. c. 21. Euseb. Hist Ecct 1. 3. c. 3. et Hieron. Catal. 
Script. Eccl. in Petr. 

6. The Revelation of Peter. Clem. Alex. lib. Hypotypos. apud 
Euseb. Hist Eccl. 1. 6. c. 14. Theodot. Byzant in Excerpt p. 806, 807. 
ad calc. Opp. Clem. Alex. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. Hieron, 
Catal. Script. Eccl. in Petr. 

7. Books under the name of Peter, Innocent I. Epist 3. ad Exu^ 
per. Tholos. Episc. § 7. 

1. The Acts of Philip. Gelas. in Decret 

2. The Gospel of Philip. Epiphan. Hares. 26. § 13. 

S. 

The Gospel of Scythianus. Cyrill. Catech. VI. § 22. et Epiphan. 
Hares. 66. § 2. 

The Acts of the Apostles by Seleucus. Hieron. Epist. ad Chromat. 
et. Heliodor. 

The Revelation of Stephen. Gelas. in Decret. 

285 



TABLE I. — TJie lost Apocryphal Books. 

T. 

The Gospel of Titian. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 29. 
The Gospel of Thadd.2eus. Gelas. in Decret. 
The Catholic Epistle of Themison the Montanist. Apollon. lib. 
eont. Cataphryg. apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 5. c. 18. 

1. The Acts of Thomas. Epiphan. Hares. 47. § 1. et 61. § 1. 
Athanas. in Synops. S. Script. § 76. et Gelas. in Decret. 

2. The Gospel of Thomas. Orig. in Luc. i. 1. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 
1. 3. c. 25. Cyrill. Catech. IV. § 36. et Catech. VI. § 31. Ambros. in 
Luc. i. 1. Athan. in Synops. S. Script. § 76. Hieron. Pr&f. in 
Comment, in Matt. Gelas. in Decret. 

3. The Revelation of Thomas. Gelas. in Decret. 

4. Books under the name of Thomas. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad 
Exuper. Tholos. Episc. § 7. 

The Gospel of Truth, made use of by the Valentinians. Iren. adv. 
Hares. 1. 3. c. 11. 

V. 

The Gospel of Valentinus. Tertull. de Prescript, adv. Hcaret 
c. 49. 

286 



TABLE II. 

A LIST of the Christian Authors of the first four Centuries, 
whose Writings contain Catalogues of the Boohs of the New 
Testament. — By the Rev. Jeremiah Jones. 

%* Those which also have Catalogues of the books of the Old Testament, are 
marked thus *. 



The Names of the Writ- 
ers. 



The Variation or Agreement of 
their Catalogues with ours now 



The Places of their 
Writings, in which 
these Catalogues are. 



I. 

* Origen, a Pres- 
byter of Alexan- 
dria, who employ- 
ed incredible pains 
in knowing the 
Scriptures. 

II. 
Eusebius Pam- 
philus, whose 
writings evidence 
his zeal about the 
sacred writings, 
and his great care 
to be informed 
which were genu- 
ine and which not 



A.C. 
210. 



315. 



III. 

# Athanasius, Bp. 
of Alexandria. 



315. 



Omits the Epistles of 
James and Jude, though 
he owns them both in 
other parts of his writ- 
ings. 



His Catalogue is exactly 
the same with the mod- 
ern one ; only he says, 
the Epistles of James, 
Jude, the 2d of Peter, 
the 2d and 3d of John, 
though they were gen- 
erally received, yet 
had been by some 
doubted of. As to the 
Revelation, though he 
says some rejected it, 
yet he says others re- 
ceived it ; and him- 
self places it among 
those which are to 
be received without 
dispute. 



Comment, in Matth. 
apudEuseb.Hist. 
Eccl. I. 6. c. 25. 
Exposit. in Joan. 
I. 5. apud Euseb. 
ibid* 



Hist. Eccl. I. 3. c. 
25. confer ejus- 
dem lib. c. 3. 



The same perfectly with 
ours now received. 



Fragment. Epis. 
Festal, et in Sy- 
nops. Scriptur. 
Saxtr. 

287 



TABLE II. — Catalogues of the New Testament. 



The Names of the Writ 
ers. 



6 J5 



The Variation or Agreement of 
their Catalogues with ours now 
received. 



The Places of their 
Writings, in which 
these Catalogues are. 



IV. 

*Cyril, Bp. of Je- 
rusalem. 



V. 

*The bishops as- 
sembled in the 
Council of Laod- 



VI. 

Epiphanius, Bp. 
of Salamis in Cy- 
prus. 

VII. 

Gregory Nazian- 
zen, Bp. of Con- 
stantinople. 

VIII. 

Philastrius, Bp. 
of Brixia, in Ven- 
ice. 



a.c. 

340. 



364. 

t 



370. 



375. 



380. 



XI. 

Jerome. 



382. 



The same with ours 
only the Revelation is 
omitted. 



The Revelation is omit- 
ted. 



X. 

*Rufin, Presby- 
ter of Aquilegium. 



390. 



The same with ours now 
received. 



Omits the Revelation. 



The same with ours now 
received ; except that he 
mentions only thirteen 
of St. Paul's Epistles 
(omitting, very prob- 
ably, the Epistle to the 
Hebrews), and leaves 
out the Revelation. 



The same with ours ; ex- 
cept that he speaks du- 
biously of the Epistle 
to the Hebrews ; though 
in other parts of his 
writings he receives it 
as Canonical. 



It perfectly agrees with 
ours. 



Catech. IV. § 36. 



Canon. LX. 

N. B. The Canons of 
thisCouncil were,not 
long afterwards, re- 
ceived into the body 
of the Canons of the 
Universal Church. 



Hares. 76. c. 5. 



Carm. de veris et 
genuin. Scriptur. 



Lib. de Hares. 87. 



Ep. ad. Paulin. de 
Stud. Script, also 
commonly pre- 
fixed to the Lat- 
in Vidgate. 



Expos, in Symb. 
Apostol. § 36. int. 
Op. Hieron. et 
inter Op. Cyp. 



t The Roman Catholics place this Council before the Council of Nice. 

288 



TABLE II. — Catalogues of the New Testament. 





■fir 


The Variation or Agreement of 


The Places of their 


The Names of the Writ- 


§• _ 


their Catalogues with ours now 


Writings, in which 


ers. 


Js'JZ g 


received. 


these Catalogues are. 


XL 


a. a 






*AusTm, Bp. of 


394. 


It perfectly agrees with 


Be Doct. Christ. 1. 


Hippo in Africa. 




ours. 


2. c. 8. 


XII. 








*The forty-four 


St. Aus- 
tin was 


It perfectly agrees with 


Vid. Canon, xlvii. 


Bps. assembled in 


present 
atU. 


ours. 


et cap. ult. 


the third Council 








of Carthage. 








XIII. 








The anonymous 


390. 


It seems perfectly to agree 


Lib. de Hierarch. 


author of the works 




with ours: for though 


Eccl. c. 3. 


under the name 




he doth not, for good 


« 


of Diontsius the 




reasons, produce the 
names of the books, 




Areopagite. 










yet (as the learned 








Daille says, De Script. 








supposit. Dionys. 1. 1. c. 








16.) he so clearly de- 








scribes them, as that he 








has left out no divine 








book, may be easily 






1 perceived. 





25 



289 



TABLE III. 

TIMES of writing the FOUR GOSPELS in •the New Testa- 
ment, from 1. Dr. Lardner's Supplement to the Credibility 
of the Gospel History. 2. The Rev. Jeremiah Jones's Canon- 
ical Authority of the New Testament. 3. Dr. Henry Owen's 
Observations on the Pour Gospels. 

Gospels. Lardner. Jones. Owen. 

Matthew A. D. 64 . . ... 41 ..... . 38 

Mark 64 67 63 

Luke 63 63 . 53 

John 68 97 69 

Acts written, according to Dr. Lardner, A. D. 63 or 64. 

Note.— Christ died A. D. 36. 



TIMES and Places of the writing of PA UL'S EPISTLES, 
arranged chronologically. — From Lardner. 

Epistles. Places. A. D. 

I. Thessalonians Corinth 52 , 

II. Thessalonians Corinth 52 

Galatians Corinth or Ephesus end of 52 

or beginning of 53 
I. Corinthians Ephesus beginning of 56 

I. Timothy Macedonia 56 

Titus Macedonia, or near it . . . before the end of 56 

II. Corinthians Macedonia about October, 57 

Rohians Corinth about February, 58 

Ephesians Rome about April, 61 

II. Timothy Rome .' about May, 61 

Philippians Rome before end of 62 

Colossians Rome before end of 62 

Philemon ......' .Rome before end of 62 

Hebrews Rome or Italy spring of 63 



TIMES and Places of the writing of the SE VEN CA THO- 
LIC EPISTLES— From Lardner. 

St. James Judea 61 

or beginning of 62 
I. II. St. Peter Rome 64 

I. St. John Ephesus r about 80 

II. III. St. John Ephesus between 80 and 90 

St. Jude * Unknown 64 or 65 

Revelation of St. John . Patmos or Ephesus 95 or 96 

290 

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